TATHRA Beach Country Club was full to the brim on Sunday as race goers of all ages jostled for a front seat view of the action.
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Umbrellas rested open on shoulders and the line for cold beer quickly grew as the only thing not present for most of the day’s seven Pig Races was the famous sea breeze.
As the crowd grew people climbed in search of the highest vantage points, on top of tables and even atop custom-built utes.
Auctioneer Kevin Kiley of Noah’s Farm chanted down the microphone and piglets of all colours relaxed in the shade as they were sold off before each knuckle-biting race.
Half of the money collected was donated to the local Tathra Lions Club and the bidder for each winning piglet received half of the pool for each race.
Lions Club president Peter Davis said on Monday that he was surprised and overwhelmed by the attendance, which he estimated would have been over 1000 people.
“It was beyond our wildest dreams,” Mr Davis said.
“It was unbelievable, a lot more people showed up than we ever expected.
“It was mind-blowing.
“We want to thank the public very much for their help.”
People came from as far away as Sydney and Canberra on the day and despite a rain cloud that disrupted proceeding for about half an hour, Mr Davis said families left wide-eyed wanting the event to return.
Between races, those seeking shade perused the market stalls, kids threw themselves around a jumping castle and bumped into each other from inside giant sphere balls.
Those around the track waiting in anticipation for the next big race were entertained by local musician Ron Gartside and his rendition of How Much is that Piggy in the Window, followed by the grooves of Ricky Bloomfield and Deep South.
With every dollar donated going towards community work and people in need Mr Davis is excited at the amount raised and the projects now possible thanks to the day.
“We’re trying to get a walking track built from the top of Tathra all the way down to the bowling club, which looks like it will be possible now,” he said.