AUSTIN (KXAN) – It’s an annual tradition Austinites look forward to each year and this year is especially special as Eeyore’s Birthday Party celebrates 60 years.
Taking place at Pease District Park, the family-friendly free event started off as a UT student’s dream after reading the famous Winnie-the-Pooh book. Heather Hampton, the president of the Friends of Forest Foundation, says each year it’s grown bigger and bigger.
“It has been happening since 1964 whenever an English class at UT led by a student named Lloyd Birdwell decided to throw a birthday party for Eeyore after reading the book. They decided to host a party down at the park, and it’s just been going on ever since. In 1979, it moved to Pease Park, where it still is today,” Hampton said.
From costume competitions to face painting and a chance to meet Eeyore, the event not only has things to do for the entire family, money is also raised to give back to the community.
“So if you buy anything at Eeyore’s whether it’s a t-shirt to the face painting, booths to the beer, even all of our food vendors, they’re all nonprofit organizations, and so all of that money goes straight back into our community. Over the years, we’ve donated over $268,000 back to the community.”
Over 1,400 volunteers help in every aspect of the event, which runs Saturday from 11 a.m. until dusk. For more information on the event, visit their website and social media for any updates.
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