Why you should visit the Alice Springs Beanie Festival
Welcome to the quirkiest festival in the outback.
What is it?
Beanie enthusiasts from around the world head to Alice Springs each year for a weekend of markets, music, dancing and food, all in celebration of the humble woolly hat. The festival began in 1997 when a group of friends began to teach local indigenous women how to knit beanies, which they could then sell and put the money back into the community. From these humble beginnings, more than 6,000 beanies are now sold at the festival each year with all profits going back to the indigenous artists and remote communities.
Why beanies?
Most people imagine that central Australia is always hot. In reality, winter nights in the desert can get incredibly cold and everyone needs to wear a beanie outside. Handmade beanies have become a form of regional art, given unique characteristics with different textures, colours, shapes and styles. They have also become popular on the tourist market and are a good way for local people to earn money.
What events are there?
The festival will run from June 23-26, 2017, with a packed program of events. It kicks off with a Gala Opening Night. The winners of the hotly contested beanie competition will be announced, with different categories for designs that incorporate native plants, birds, indigenous art and traditional stories. The night features lots of live entertainment, food and plenty of beanies for sale. Over the following days, Beanie Central is the festival’s hub with workshops and demonstrations from indigenous crafters as well as activities for kids and damper cooked over an open fire. There are also gallery exhibitions, fashion parades and dinners held around town.
How can I go?
Entry to Beanie Central is by a gold coin donation and entry to the National Beanie Exhibition is $15. Many of the activities and workshops are free, though some have a small participation fee or you will need to pay for materials. The festival is run almost entirely by volunteers, so if you want to lend a hand you can register from June 21-23 in Alice Springs. There are lots of different positions, from setting up to taking tickets, serving food, helping out and galleries and working in the children’s corner. It’s a unique opportunity to get involved with a grass roots community event – and have a great time!
Have you ever been to the beanie festival?