Eeyore’s Birthday – April 27, 2024

History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

It’s Eeyore’s Birthday, on the last Saturday in April, and this year it will be celebrated on April 27. The melancholic and often cynical character, in A. A Milne’s “Winnie the Pooh” has for decades remained a beloved character in this childhood story. Lloyd Birdwell established this celebration and while it does not coincide with the donkey’s actual, fictional, birthday, the celebration does provide a fantastic platform for the Austin, Texas community to raise funds for deserving charities in the area. Access to the event is free, and fun for the entire family, and is held, every year since 1974 at Pease District Park.

History of Eeyore’s Birthday

In 1926 a classic was born, A. A Milne published his collection of short stories, depicting an anthropomorphic teddy bear, Winne the Pooh, his human friend, Christopher Robin, and a mixed collection of other animals, most notably on this special day, Eeyore. The animal that inspired such a great charity initiative in Austin, takes his queues and overall character from the unfortunate disposition of the stuffed donkey that he was modeled after, a long, heavy head and neck, left the stuffed donkey looking quite sad and depressed as the weight of both head and neck constantly had the donkey faced down at the ground.

The celebration of Eeyore’s “birthday” in Austin, Texas is unique to the area. Originally, the event was set up to distract students from “Dead Week,” however, over time the birthday party has grown into a massive charity event. The first time Austin celebrated Eeyore’s birthday, there was little more than a trash can filled with lemonade and beer, however, when the party moved from Eastwoods Park to Pease District Park, Friends of the Forest Foundation, a non-profit that supports local charities took over the production and management of the event.

Creating a space for food and drink vendors, adults, families, and sponsorships, since its inception, Eeyore’s Birthday has grown in attendance, and now, is presently attended by thousands of locals and visitors.

Eeyore’s Birthday timeline

1915

Winnie Arrives in London

A European Black Bear, named Winnie, is delivered to the London Zoo, at the end of World War I.

1926

Eeyore’s First Appearance

The first collection of “Winnie the Pooh” is published and features the character Eeyore.

1963

Friends of the Forest

Friends of the Forest officially get involved in the production and management of Eeyore’s Birthday.

2018

Supported by Thousands

Over 5,000 people support the event, making it a bona fide micro-festival, and a successful charity event.

Eeyore’s Birthday FAQs

Is it Eeyore’s Birthday?

No, Eeyore’s Birthday is actually on Christmas day.

Is it a dress-up party?

Yes and no, the event hosts a well-supported costume party, with prizes, but it is not compulsory to dress up.

Can I donate, even if I don’t attend?

Yes, Friends of the Forest is a registered N.P.O. and has the resources to accept donations.

Eeyore’s Birthday Activities

Go to Eeyore’s party
If you live nearby, or the drive seems worth it, travel down to Pease District Park on the last Saturday of April. Have some fun, and support a good cause.
Immerse yourself in “Winnie the Pooh”
Open a book, or watch the animated series. There are many pearls of wisdom contained in the series' childlike view of the world.
Donate
The chief objective of the event is to help locals have a good time, and raise funds for deserving charities so make a donation, The Friends of the Forest Foundation would greatly appreciate it.

5 Facts About Winnie The Pooh.

Inspired by a real bear
Lt. Harry Colebourn bought a bear that he named Winnie for $20 in France, while serving in WWI, and at the end of the war, the bear was sent to the London Zoo where she was later seen by A. A Milne and his son, Christopher Robin.
Not a child
Christopher Robins's dear friend, Eeyore, is 40 years old in the book series.
Eeyore’s name is the sound he makes
Eeyore’s name is derived from the phonetic spelling of the sound that donkeys make.
The plush toys are still with us
The plush toys from which Milne took inspiration can be viewed at the New York Public Library.
Winne the Pooh belongs to Disney
In 1961 Disney bought the rights to “Winnie the Pooh,” and since then, “Winnie the Pooh” has become one of the most adored Disney characters of all time.

Why We Love Eeyore’s Birthday

It’s Eeyore’s Birthday
If you’re a fan of the series or are familiar with the self-loathing character that is Eeyore, it's easy to understand why he deserves a little bit of extra special treatment. We love that he has his party in Austin, every year.
It's a worthy cause
Every year Eeyore’s Birthday Party raises thousands of dollars for local charities and it's all thanks to the Austin community’s goodwill and spirit. Support them on this day!
It's on a Saturday every year
To make sure that everyone can have a good time on Eeyore’s Birthday, event organizers purposefully made the day a Saturday. This means that everyone can attend as it is always on the last Saturday, and generally after payday too.