“Everything about the weekend was superb,” she said.

“The weather brilliantly came to the party, we had the biggest crowds we’ve ever had. Everything just came together to make this our biggest and best festival yet.

“What a way to go out.”

Mrs Locke said Saturday started with a superb street parade through the Nowra CBD and culminated in a “wonderful” fireworks show.

“The fireworks were the biggest and best we’ve had - simply superb and a great way to end the first day of the festival,” she said.

“They were mind blowing.

“People might say it made a lot of noise and were a waste of money but I believe it was money well spent. It raised a lot of pride in Nowra, it brought a lot of smiles to a lot of people's faces and there were a lot of happy kids. You can’t go to Sydney for free and see something like this. Fireworks Australia did a great job.

“I think it is just a great event for the community, an opportunity for people to experience things they have never experienced.”

Read More: Shoalhaven River Festival: your photos

She said a full day of entertainment on the Shoalhaven River and on the stage ended with a superb performance by Eurogliders.

“Eurogliders were great but the amount of local talent that was on show throughout the afternoon on stage was fantastic,” she said “being able to showcase that local talent is wonderful.

“The market stalls and variety of food outlets on the river’s edge were wonderful while James Reeson, from Alive and Cooking was popular with his demonstration.

“The festival continued on Sunday with some spectacular action on the river, with skiers showing off their skills and boats reaching speeds of up to 160km/h. The Marine Expo was outstanding, the Pirate and Mermaids picnic a lot of fun and the art zone revealed more wonderful local talent. The whole event was just great.”

After five years of blood sweat and tears Mrs Locke has decided to pass on the chairperson’s baton.

“I just feel it’s time for a change,” she said.

“I think it’s time for some new blood and the young people to step up. We are into the digital age, everything is changing and hopefully someone will come along and take the helm.

“I’m proud of what we have achieved. Five years ago when I floated the idea of a river festival a lot of people said it couldn't be done.

“That just made me more determined to ensure this event, which was so needed in Nowra and the Shoalhaven as a whole, would succeed.

“But through it all I have been so lucky to be backed by such a wonderful, hardworking committee.

“Sure I may be seen as the head, but there is a big body behind me. The body is always bigger than the head.

“They are all incredibly hard working, coming from a variety of backgrounds who all pulled together with the one goal in mind.

“I can’t thank the committee enough.”

Mrs Locke will not totally walk away saying she would be happy to be available in a mentoring role for committees to come.