We asked our visitors and participants about their experiences at the 2005 Alice Springs Beanie Festival

Comments
‘Creative, fun and not at all what I was expecting!’ S. Conroy Brisbane, Queensland.
‘Awesome!’ S Carli, Perth
‘Funky, with happiness.’ Lois Dixon-Ward, Victoria
‘Beautiful, really colourful, creative, wicked and different’ A Procter, Lake Exham.
‘Fabulous! We came all the way from Geelong for this!’ M and B Scott, Victoria.
‘Wow, Wow and Wow! What fun!’ Anna Wheatley, Gallery Gondwana.
‘Simple and effective. Truly Australian.’ Robyn Parish Beecroft NSW
‘It surpasses all your previous exhibitions- and I didn’t believe it could be done.’ R McCulloch, Alice.
‘Every beanie in the exhibition is beautiful. A lot of thought and work obviously went into each individual beanie. Congratulations!’ J Paterson, Ireland.
‘We need beanie festivals in the UK!’ Peter Saileson, UK

General Comments on the Festival
Quirky, great opening night.
Loved the colour, the people, the atmosphere.
Fantastic concept, great coffee shop.
Such enthusiasm, buzzing and sharing experience. Congrats to all involved.
Love the groovy chicks who run the festival.
Thanks to organisers, 5 star event, continuing inspiration.
It’s the talk of the town, friendly folk and fab beanies.
Beani-delicious! Happy to finally be here this year and help with set up and see all the fantastic fibre work.
Last year I bought one for a friend who represents Aust. in snow boarding, her beanie has travelled the worlds snow fields, this year we bought one for a friend in the London Ballet.
Kids loved making pompoms.
Well done always to all who put so much time and love in.
Wonderful to see such creativity is alive and out there!
Love seeing others talents, great thing for Alice..Wish I lived here!
Keep up the good work, love trying on the wonderful designs.
We get better every year.
Loved seeing the artists.
So important to all work together.
I have really enjoyed travelling to Alice and being apart of this wonderful festival – what an experience, thanks and congratulations, I’ll be back.
Family night and workshops were great.
Loved it…will tell the world.
Congrats on becoming a world phenomenon.
Please distribute detailed info re workshops around the community in papers etc
Making beanies was great.
I really hope it continues.
The food is delicious.
This festival is legendary!
I worked with ladies in Ernabella in lead up to festival; it was a beautiful community activity.
Enlightening and creative. *****
No beanies on sale on opening night – disappointing.
Loved beanies and Aboriginal figurines, Araluen has such great events happening.
Loved the music and food on opening night.
Loved the thumb piano music and buying beanies.
Fantastic really enjoyed it, will be back in Alice next year for number 10.
Love the colour and the chaos.
Enjoyed the community interest and participation.
Keep Friday arvo so you can buy beanies, opening night great community event, more food over the weekend. Thanks!
Pleased that funds go back to the communities and that it gives those communities a sense of purpose, self esteem and acceptance.
Loved the baskets
They should have them in other towns too!
Loved beanie central- bought something everyday!
Great celebration of women’s’ creativity.
Thanks to all the committee, this is wonderful I will be back from Vic next year and will bring more friends – planning my beanies already!
Thanks be to Jo, food was exceptional – best festival food ever, cookbook needed, CD of photos of comp beanies would be good, and a pass to Araluen so we can visit gallery everyday!
It will be in my memory forever.
The opportunity to try on hats!