But Sunday’s New Year’s Eve pig races at the Tathra Beach Country Club was by far the biggest yet.

An estimated 5300 people of all ages attended the Tathra Big 4 Pig Day Out.

With about half of those being paying adults, at $10 a ticket, the Tathra Lions and Sunshine Club Boardriders were already on to a winner for their community fundraiser.

Adding to that total were the astronomical prices bid on the piglets in pre-race Calcutta auctions. The “owner” of the first pig to run an obstacle course and find a bowl of sweetened milk took home half the pot, with the rest to be invested back into community projects by the two not-for-profit organisations.

Bidding for the pig Calcuttas was fast and serious, some going for more than $500 a race, and winners pocketing upwards of $1500 on occasion. There were seven races in total.

As well as watching the racing piglets, there was also a dog high jump exhibition, Great Zamboni magic show, market stalls and a sideshow alley with rides and games for the kids.

“It was a lot more people than we were expecting, it was a huge family day,” Lions member Rex Kermode said.

“The Sunshine Club got two new grandstands which helped to accommodate everyone and created an amphitheater atmosphere for the crowd. 

“The day was massive, we were run off our feet for most of it, but it all went swimmingly. 

“If we do it next year we will hold it on New Year’s Eve again, I think we could make it a tradition.”

The festivities carried on well into the night with three live bands at the Tathra Beach Country Club.