Project manager Ivana Agapiou said they continued to "get bigger and better each year" and it was mainly through the help of the community.

"It's just a lovely day for families and we can't thank the community enough for getting involved," she said. "We must be getting good with our digging because it only took about half an hour."

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council mayor Peter Besseling was dunked several times which provided many light-hearted moments.

"He was dunked probably at least half a dozen or so times and the kids just loved it," Ms Agapiou said.

Over $6000 was raised which will go towards the restoration of the Tacking Point Lighthouse as well as both national and international projects.

"A school in Nepal was damaged by the earthquake over there so we will send a portion of the funds we raised over to them to help them out."

Ms Agapiou said the event's success was made better because of other activities across town over the weekend.

"The fact we weren't on the same weekend as Ironman was a big benefit to us and the Million Paws Walk was on around town so we had a few of those people come down and join in and the same with the Relay for Life," she said.

"We were lucky we were in the middle of them both so people could come and go."

As the Big Dig approaches it's fifth year next year Ms Agapiou said they were confident the event could become even more of a major attraction.

"We'll probably take over the whole of the beach some time down the track," she said.