Big River Festival chairwoman Donna Carline said in light of the weather and other events in the district, it was great to see people supporting the festival and enjoying themselves.
There were 30 entries in the raft race, which Ms Carline said was about the same number as last year.
"It was pleasing to see the innovation people put into their rafts," she said.
The long tradition of pelting the rafters with eggs and flour bombs as they passed under the bridge was also maintained.
Entertainment off the water included Gold Guitar winners the Heartleys, golf and activities for children.
"The Heartleys have been huge hits with the crowd," Ms Carline said.
"Someone slotted a hole in one in the golf. It hit the back board on the pontoon and rolled into the hole."
The winner received $500.
"There was a bouncy castle, a water slide, face painting and balloon sculpting for the kids, and a lot of people were interested in the photos."
To mark the 75th anniversary of the Balclutha Bridge opening, the South Otago Museum staged an exhibition of historic photographs from the days the bridge was under construction and of the official opening ceremony.
