The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is a quirky and unique community event bringing together crafters across the country to Central Australia to celebrate the humble head-warmer.
The event began in 1997, with a ‘beanie party’ organised by Adi Dunlop to an event that now presents over 7,000 beanies for sale from a core group of volunteer beanie-ologists.
The festival was organised to sell beanies crocheted by Aboriginal women in remote communities. It has grown into a fun event where Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal artists share their culture and exhibit together.
The festival is unique because of its community participation and unique ties with local Aboriginal organisations. The festival aims to develop Aboriginal women’s textiles, promote womens’ culture and the beanie as a regional art form, as well as promote handmade textile arts.