Beanies by the thousand
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (383065)
Rockingham, Australia
June 22, 2026 9:38pm CST
After 30 years, Alice Springs, in central Australia, has just hosted its last Beanie Festival. Almost 8,000 hand-made beanies were on show and all bar a handful sold bringing in $400,000, 30% of which will be used to fund creative workshops in remote areas.
The event is being wound up due to ageing volunteers and the fact that the current venue is becoming too small. The beanies are made from various materials. The prize for Our Favourite Animal Prize went to a beanie featuring black cockatoos, largely made from felt. A foam base gave the birds their shape with the beak and feet made from polymer clay.
I can’t copy any of the photos of some of the amazing beanies but here’s a link to the article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-22/nt-alice-springs-beanie-festival-record-number-of-sales/106824454
The photo shows a beanie I was given. Vince kept wanting me to step backwards but I was too smart for that. The photo was taken in 2018.
15 people like this
14 responses
@FourWalls (87121)
• United States
14h
I’m glad they went out with a successful fund-raising bang. It’s sad to see it end, though.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (87121)
• United States
2h
@JudyEv — absolutely. It sounds like it would be an excellent source of tourism!
@DaddyEvil (175028)
• United States
14h
At least he tried to get you soaked! Please tell him I hope he did a better job the next time he tried... 
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43789)
• Denver, Colorado
15h
I keep meaning to get myself a hat like that for winter. They look very warm! But I keep spacing it out every year.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (136331)
• Marion, Ohio
4h
Sad that it is ending. Some younger people are getting back into making stuff here. Glad you didn't step back
@Marilynda1225 (91251)
• United States
1h
I love your picture and Vince certainly has a sense of humor 
Your beanie is cute and it's kind of sad to hear that the festival is coming to an end.
I do remember you making tiny beanies for preemie babies.
Your beanie is cute and it's kind of sad to hear that the festival is coming to an end.
I do remember you making tiny beanies for preemie babies.
@Deepizzaguy (122553)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
15h
Beanies make nice caps that I wear during the winter months.
2 people like this
