The Hawea Picnic Racing Club is all about country traditions and handicapper Mick Prendergast (76) of Hyde is regarded as one of the event's local legends.
Mr Prendergast has been taking part in the event since 1956.
He said he has missed the odd year but on the whole he's had a pretty good crack at it.
"I got hurt one year, the day before, and another year I took the horses to Westport.
"But I can't remember missing any of the others," Mr Prendergast said.
Mr Prendergast has held the handicapper's job since 1973 and is helped by his assistant, Ainsley Cook, who Mr Prendergast says is better than him with the computer.
"If anyone complains now, I just turn my hearing aid off.
"I just like the atmosphere here.
"There are regulars who come every year, and sometimes there's some new ones and sometimes some of the older ones drop out.
"But the weather is usually pretty good and the atmosphere is pretty good," Mr Prendergast said.
Mr Prendergast receives the entries about a week before the races and then researches recent results before separating the field according to the number of wins the horses have had.
He's finished his job by the day of the picnic races so he relaxes, enters a couple of races, and has a beer while he watches the rest.
Visiting the booth is another club tradition but these days it is not as packed as it used to be.
Barman Ken McLeod, of Palmerston, has been working in the booth at least since 1975, while Dave Trevathan, of Tarras, has enjoyed 24 years of serving.
Drink-driving laws brought the end of the traditional six-deep press at the bar and these days, even with at least 1000 people at the races, the barmen would be lucky to get a queue.
They also count themselves lucky they don't have to collect jugs from around the Hawea Flat Domain any more, although mention a jug and the conversation immediately swings back to the good old days, when it used to cost 48c.
Another tradition is the children's races, which are held on the race course between trots.
Events such as the wheelbarrow, sack and sprint races attracted many entrants and were hotly contested.
Another tradition is the donation of proceeds to Lake Hawea Community projects.
Any profits, after paying out prizes and dividends, are combined with gate takings.
Secretary Bill McCarthy said this year the club gave $3000 to the Lake Hawea Community Association to help with the costs of expanding the community centre.
Another $500 was given to St John Ambulance.
