Barbara Fowler initiated the The Bothwell SPINin in 1978. It started out as a small community event aimed at raising funds for the restoration of Bothwell's historic St. Luke's Uniting Church. Since then it has evolved into a significant regional festival and fair that has drawn many thousands of people to Bothwell over the years. Many of them traveling from overseas to take part in the event. In 2001 people from 13 nations participated in the 'blessing of the fleece' held in the restored St. Luke's. The blessing launches every SPINin.

The SPINin is centered in and around the Bothwell District High School. Evening meals and entertainment are provided for in the Town Hall and the town's historic Queen's Park. The school's gymnasium serves as the SPINin's main venue. At various times during the SPINin there are a range of competitions, fashion parades, show-and-tell opportunities going on in the school's precincts and the town.

It has become a tradition to erect large marquees in the grounds of the school to display various exhibits and many of the exhibits are offered for sale. Smaller marquees and tents also serve as work areas and as venues for demonstrations where visitors are able to participate in 'hands-on' activities and workshops.

A key feature of the SPINin is that visitors have an opportunity to try their hand at spinning, weaving, knitting and much more. Over the years the range of activities encompassed by the event has grown significantly. In fact the SPINin has evolved into a rather unique 'village festival' that has earned a special place in the Tasmanian imagination.

In 2005 'the festival' won the Art & Culture National Bank Volunteer Award for Tasmania. In so many ways this underlines and acknowledges the importance of events such as the SPINin for not only small communities everywhere but also for the' community of interest' that has attached itself to this particular event over almost 30 years.