Beanie festival that attracts visitors to the central Australia comes to a close

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Central Australia's most unique event is underway this weekend, with thousands heading to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. But despite growing crowds and after nearly three successful decades organisers say next year’s Beanie Festival may well be the last.

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00:00Some of the wildest designs ever seen at the 29th annual Alice Springs Beanie Festival.

00:08Among the winners, one crafted entirely from dog fur, a hot air balloon and a fishing trip

00:15honouring this year's sport theme.

00:17Nita, from the remote community of Tichikala, wasn't expecting to win.

00:22I like making people happy with my heart.

00:25He is quite warm to wear. If he gets wet, you get a nice smell of wet dog whiff.

00:31This year, almost 7,000 beanies on display, delighting thousands of visitors.

00:38I'm always astounded.

00:40They're a bit crazy, some of them. I just wonder how people manage to put them on.

00:44We love it a lot.

00:45We love it a lot.

00:47A balmy 25-degree day not stopping anyone, with many splashing out on the quirky headwear,

00:54aware the festival's days could be numbered.

00:57We're victims of our own success.

00:59You know, we've grown so big, we're loved so much, we just can't keep it going anymore.

01:06While knitting and crafts are gaining popularity among young people,

01:11finding new volunteers to keep the festival going is proving difficult.

01:16And unless someone comes forward, next year's festival will be the last.

01:20The second last one, or maybe the second last one, that'll be a disaster.

01:25Many here, hoping this woolly wonderland warms hearts and heads for years to come.

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