Costumes are encouraged at Eeyore’s Birthday! (Credit: Mark Stevens via Flickr CC)
The last Saturday of April marks one of the weirdest and longest running free events in Austin: Eeyore’s Birthday Party. It’s a community event which brings together a multitude of Austin subcultures for one day of festivities.
Not only is Eeyore’s Birthday free, but it also helps raise money for local non-profits. Now in its 56th year, here is everything you need to know to make your 1st or 56th visit a success.
History of Eeyore’s Birthday
For festivals like this, I always like to start with a bit of history. In the original Winnie the Pooh books by A. A. Milne, Eeyore is a gloomy, pessimistic and depressed character. In one story, he thinks everyone has forgotten his birthday, only to find out they have planned a surprise party for him.
Face painting
(Credit: MarkScottAustinTX via Flickr CC)
From this classic story sparked an idea. In 1963, Lloyd W. Birdwell Jr. and other UT Austin students from the English Department organized a spring party and picnic in the name of Eeyore. The picnic included lemonade, beer, honey, a flower-draped donkey and a maypole. As Austin’s hippie community took to the event, the annual UT tradition, originally taking place in Eastwoods Park, grew and moved to Pease District Park in 1974.
Today, the Friends of the Forest Foundation keeps the free annual festival going by organizing vendors and volunteers. All vendors at the event are non-profit organizations.
What to Expect
Festivities always fall on the last Saturday of April, which is April 27, 2019 this year.
Starting at 11 a.m., you can expect the party to run until dusk. Be prepared to witness an amazing juxtaposition of old and new Austin. Original Austin hippie culture mixes alongside the new Austin hipster culture seamlessly.
The festival also includes family-oriented games and contests. After all, just because the original party-goers of the 60’s and 70’s have grown up and had children (and grandchildren), doesn’t mean they’ve lost their zest for Eeyore’s Birthday Party.
Eeyore’s Birthday Party is suitable for children of all ages (Credit: Saurabh Thakur via Flickr CC)
Remember, this is an event for your inner child, so dress up! There will be costume contests and prizes for everyone. But you may also notice a lack of costumes. Don’t be surprised to see some nakedness. A word to parents: the event tends to be more child-friendly earlier in the day.
There is live music scheduled from 12-6 p.m., face painting, henna and temporary tattoo stations, games, food, drinks and not-so-impromptu drum circles and dancing. Keeping with the 56-year tradition, there will be a maypole and a live donkey–Eeyore.
Every year, “Eeyore” himself makes an appearance (Credit: Satanoid via Flickr CC)
How to Get to the Party
DON’T drive. I repeat. Don’t drive. There is no available parking at Pease District Park, so have a game plan.
The park is easily accessible from the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail if you want to bike. Or you can take the Capital Metro 338 bus (Lamar/45th Street route).
If you must drive, take advantage of the FREE shuttle service arranged by the Friends of the Forest Foundation. Meet at Colorado Street and W. 16th Street, where shuttles will be waiting to take party goers to and fro. There are several garages in the area (Eeyore’s asks attendees to avoid surface lots.)
You can even ride your unicycle to the event! (Credit: Mark Stevens via Flickr CC)
What to Bring and Not Bring
Bring
Enthusiasm, cash, blankets, an open mind and – most importantly – instruments: bongos, tambourines, guitars, recorders, kazoos, whistles, drums, cymbals. You get the picture. All are acceptable and welcome.
Don’t Bring
Bottles, cans or coolers, as they are not allowed in the park. Remember, this event raises money for charity and local non-profits will be stationed throughout the park selling hot and cold food, water, beer, lemonade and other memorabilia. So support the local Austin community and plan to purchase food and drink items at the park.
Bring a drum or simply dance along! (Credit dave via Flickr CC)
Looking to volunteer? Sign up for notifications to help with park preparations, manning game stations, crowd control and more. Otherwise, simply come and let your inner freak flag fly freely for Eeyore and support your local Austin charities.
1100 Kingsbury St. – Website
@jpino9 wants to know:
What is your favorite part of Eeyore’s Birthday?
I see a dog on a leash … so are dogs welcome and if so, can you take them on the shuttle? If not, is there an alternative way to get to the event with best friend in tow? /he’s a sweetheart that draws kids and adults to pet him or I wouldn’t even be entertaining the idea of bringing him. And, yes, I scoop!
Great questions, @coloradoriver. Dogs are certainly welcome. All that’s asked is that you keep them leashed. If my memory serves me, you can bring them on the shuttle. Maybe someone else can chime in to confirm.
It’s my understanding that dogs ARE allowed on the shuttle.
We took our Golden retriever back to the car with us in the shuttle last year.
This is an awesome event, Ive been volunteering for this for 3 years now and I will continue to do so as long as I can.
Thanks everyone! If I don’t run down to the coast for the sandcastles, I’ll be checking out Eeyore’s.
Photos from this year here! https://www.facebook.com/nickmollberg/media_set?set=a.10153175073086648.1073741964.502636647&type=1&pnref=story
Thanks for sharing, @nickmollberg:disqus. A colorful, fun time as always!
I use a wheelchair part of the time (walk with it for balance, and because I tire easily). Will that be a deal-breaker, because I really want to go this year.
Crossing my fingers and toes. 😀
@missypratt:disqus, the event takes place in Pease Park’s wide, open field. If you can navigate that, you should be just fine!
Are Camelbaks allowed?
With water in them? Sure. 🙂
Are women allowed to be topless? The answer will have a major impact on what costume I’ll wear =)
Yes! I went last year and tits everywhere! What’s the costume?
Similar to what I wear for Ren Fest: iridescent purple underbust corset (to match my purple hair) with a gauzy see-through skirt and a belly dancer coin belt that makes a beautiful chime-like sound with every tiny movement; you will hear me before you see me =)
yes of course! loads of topless women and topless painted on costumes. go for it!! Me and all my girl friends will be topless and entering the costume contest at 3pm
Winnie the Pooh was my favourite childhood book. HOW IN THE WILD WORLD OF WEIRDNESS did it devolve into a topless women event!? Y’all are just crazy ruining a wonderfully innocent childhood memory. Why RUIN EVERYTHING THAT USED TO BE JOYFULLY INNOCENT!!!???
Why does it have to be looked at in a sexual manor? Everyone was born naked, do why is it so wrong to embrace what you were born in? Stop being so close minded and making it out to be so sexual..
It is quite old or 70s Austin as well. Haven’t you ever heard of the nude sun-bathers at Barton Springs? In fact, I seem to remember at least some fairly skimpy costumes at the earliest Eyeore’s I’ve attended.
Manor?
Yep, that’s the trend. Move to Austin because of its culture and it’s history …..and change it to the city you came from.
Snap
Really a paint with broad brush assumptive answer John…the person you responded to may have lived here their entire life. And it doesn’t seem to follow that a beloved children’s character should end up being associated with nudity. But you can call it culture if you like.
I doubt it. Or that person would know it’s not a ‘topless woman event’ And I don’t understand how Austin has ruined anything for you. Furthermore that person would know that being topless in Austin is legal.
What is wrong with women’s breasts? They are the source of nutrition for babies, most children are quite familiar with their mom’s breasts.
not over the age of one, silly. i breastfed my son and i don’t think he’d remember such nurturing now at seventeen at the event lol but i’m not bringing him.
Shut up. Breasts are the one of the first things children see, touch, and experience after birth. Breasts are more child friendly than Winnie the Pooh. You’re the one in the wrong thinking anybody who wants to be topless is wanting to be sexual.
A naked breast is one of the earliest and most comforting visualss for most young children.
lol
LOL!
1. Instead of just reacting, feel free to read the “History of Eeyore’s Birthday” section thoughtfully provided in the article above.
2. When would you say your inner joy actually died?
3. I’m going to lead a group prayer/meditation/healing vibes kind of a thing for you at Eeyore’s this afternoon, asking the spirit of Tigger to fill you again with joy and innocence (or at least a sense of humor).
Fire up the drum circle, brothers and sisters. We got a piper dooon!!! 🙂
To be perfectly fair, most of the characters in Winnie The Pooh don’t wear any clothes… =)
Rejoice in your beautiful body…don’t feel ashamed…
Breast have nothing to do with losing one’s innocence….
They are The Giver of Life….
Be happy be free Be topless…
Then you will receive your innocence again….
Back to Eden…!
Being nude isn’t joyfully innocent?
Normally, we consider indingenous cultures as symbolizing the pinnacle of innocence and happiness. And often, they are nude or near nude.
Thanks for insulting indigenous cultures, globally. You can keep your prudish “etiquette” and I’ll be free, happy, and naked, in front of you.
And god said to Adam and Eve “Who hath told ye you are naked?” You’re the one making bare bests into something dirty. There is nothing wrong with them.
Yes, State law prohibits showing genitals in public, but breasts are OK.
Correct. State law doesn’t prohibit any adult from going topless. No paint or pasties required.
Interesting. Supposedly it’s legal here in NH too but in the two incidences I know of nude breasts were prohibited. First was a female who was completely painted as a lion (could not see anything) in a cage as a protest to the circus. She was promptly removed by police. Most recently a few women went topless at the beach and it turned into a huge political issue where legislators are trying to amend the law. I honestly didn’t know it was legal until I heard they were trying to amend the law.
it is never legal to disturb the peace, even while doing otherwise legal things.
It looks like we will have some rain. When will we know if the event will be moved to the rain date Saturday, May 7th or if it will stay scheduled on the original date.
@disqus_nnExC978Ey:disqus, I’d like to think they’d update their website, but I don’t know for sure. If we hear anything, I will let you know!
The home page of the website would be updated with any information the morning of the event. This is a rain or shine event and is highly unlikely to be moved. If nothing shows up on the home page of the site, assume it is a go.
Not true – it was cancelled due to rain ten or so years ago. They won’t make a decision until early Saturday morning. It tears up the park if the event is done in the rain.
How much dose it cost
@Jennifer, admission is free. Vendors will be on site with items for purchase (food, drink, etc.).
Can a i bring a small lunch pale? I cant afford to spend 50 dollars on water.
They provide drinking water at the park. Bringing snacks or a sandwich is no big deal. Just don’t pack a picnic basket or ice chest. The gates are open and the police are there for our protection not to ruin anyone’s day. It’s all very chill. Been going since 1997.
Is there motorcycle parking at the park?
lol NO parking must mean SOME parking huh
Could I bring my well-behaved doggie?
Yes. Dogs will be everywhere.
Who pays for this party? Just wondering…..
www dot interwebs dot com
Why is this considered kid friendly with half naked people?
Are dogs allowed
Yes!
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, they are. Lots of dogs there!
Am I able to bring water? Not in a disposable bottle(s); it’s a hard plastic, transparent, reusable bottle. I understand it is non-profit so, I’ll have some money to spend there for that reason. I enjoy supporting Austin events wen possible. Thank you.