Thousands of beanies from the weird and wonderful to the bright and bold will be on display at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival this weekend.
The Araluen Arts Centre is expected to be packed with more than 7000 beanies on display and for sale. They have been lovingly created by artists from Central Australia with a few even sent from overseas.
The festival, which is celebrating 28 years, will be held from tomorrow, Friday 21 June to Monday 24 June.
Those looking to learn the skill of making themselves a trendy head warmer can participate in a range of workshops from a free learn to crochet a beanie workshop to needle felt a beanie with the Indigenous women of Central Australia workshop for $40. There will also be a free space for the kids to get involved with fibre.
This year will also feature a special exhibition, Listen to the Land which is an eclectic collection of beanies by Indigenous artists, children and beanie makers from around the globe.
The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is supported by Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company.
Entry to the Beanie Central is by gold coin donation while the National Beanie Exhibition is free for the weekend. For the full program head to [http://www.beaniefest.org/]
Quotes from Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Suzana Bishop:
"The Alice Springs Beanie Festival is one of those not-to-be missed events. It's fun and quirky and will no doubt bring a smile to ones face. Supporting this festival boosts the local tourism and arts sector by providing a platform for people to sell their wares while attracting curious visitors to explore this unique event."
Quotes from Chief Beaniologist Tom Nixon:
"This is our biggest event ever in 28 years, a record number of handmade, unique and gorgeous beanies have been received from around the world, over 7000 beanies! And the Indigenous Beanie Artists from around Central Australia are making their way in to be a part of the festivities. The cakes will be warm, the coffee hot and the beanies will blow your minds!"
