Those fabulous little pigs and their sequined silks are back!
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Pig races have proved extremely popular on their three previous visits and it’s bound to be no exception when they return to the Tathra Beach Country Club.
This year’s event will be held on New Year’s Eve and publicity officer Therese Wheatley hopes it will draw an even bigger crowd.
“It’s a great way for families to spend the day and we’re hoping it will keep people in Tathra for the evening,” she said.
“It is a whole community effort to put these races on, but I hope our visitors will be able to enjoy it while they’re on holidays.”
Aside from the races, there will be live music, markets, dog jumping and food from midday, which will carry into the evening.
The Tathra Pig Day Out is being hosted by the local Lions Club and Tathra Sunshine Club Boardriders and is a fantastic community fundraiser.
Rex Kermode of the Tathra Lions said previous pig races held at the Tathra Beach Country Club have raised over $25,000 all up.
However, Lions being the generous not-for-profit community benefactors that they are, all that money goes straight back into the local community.
“A significant amount went towards our $50,000 donation to the carers accommodation project at the regional hospital,” Mr Kermode said.
“There was also money toward the David Dodd sport scholarship among others. And last year the Boardriders helped us out so much so we gave them $5000 in return.”
Mr Kermode said the collaboration between the Lions and the local surfers was becoming ever closer, so much so he envisioned them as future Lions.
“It’s a terrific liaison between us and I see them as the future for a service club like Lions in Tathra,” he said.
Competing pigs will be auctioned prior to each event, all winning bidders to finalise payment before the race start. Outstanding runners will be re-auctioned in later races.
The owner of the winning pig receives 50 per cent of the races prize money, with the other 50 per cent put towards Tathra Lions Club.
The first race of the day has been sponsored by Bega Valley Private Hospital, with competing pigs named after a town in the Bega Valley; Bemboka Babe, Nimmity Nel, Eden Tiger Rash, Candelo Crackling, Merimbula Porker, Bega Razorback and Tathra Flathead.
The Great Zamboni will perform his magic show after races 2, 3 and 5 and dog jumping trials will be held after race 4. All animals at the Pig Day Out are treated with love and care.