5000 beanie lovers descend on Alice Springs for festival

MORE than 5000 thousand people from across the country converged on the Red Centre for the 25th annual Beanie Festival on the weekend.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival volunteers (L-R) Kyan Gillen, Vanessa Smith and Sophie Gaynor.

ALICE Springs has confirmed its status as the nation’s beanie capital, with more than 5000 thousand people from across the country converging on the Red Centre for the 25th annual Beanie Festival on the weekend.

There were beanies of hundreds of different style’s, although landscapes and animals stood out as a reoccurring theme this year with a echidna, snake, bear, and octopus beanie all on display.

The Alice Springs Beanie Festival kicked off on Friday, celebrating the trusty head covering in all its glory.

Chief beanie-ologist Jo Nixon said, who has been involved in the festival from day one, said the festival gets bigger every year.

“The 2021 festival had broken all the records in terms of beanies sold and visitors,’ she said.

“We didn’t get a lot of interstate volunteers with the Covid-19 restrictions so we had to put the call out to Alice Springs who showed up for the festival.

“We have sold more than 5000 beanies for about $230,000.

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“People have had a spectacular weekend.

“People have had workshops and sat with the Indigenous ladies and learnt to make beanies with them.

“It’s been a lovely feel here all weekend.

“We have seen about 5,500 people walk through the door.”

The festival was helped along by 120 volunteers.

The festival at Araluen Arts Centre finished yesterday.

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