WARREN Papas found Whitfunday the perfect way to "kick-start the community again" following Tropical Cyclone Debbie.

And that wasn't all he took from the annual family-friendly event.

The Papas family won the family sand sculpting competition, with their magnificent Hippo standing tall among a variety of other sand creations decorating Dingo Beach on Sunday.

As a result the family took out the Cruise Whitsundays sponsored Great Barrier Reef Adventure Cruise for two children and two adults.

And Mr Papas said while he didn't expect to win the coveted prize it was an opportunity he couldn't pass up.

"I was definitely impressed that Cruise Whitsundays had a prize to go out to the reef because being a family we can't afford to go (but) we are dying to get out (there)," he said.

Hosted by the Dingo Beach Progress Association, Whitfunday got under way at 10am on Sunday morning, beginning with an array of show style rides and free competitions for everyone to enjoy.

As well as sand sculpting there was rolling pin throwing, Jack and Jill cross-cut sawing and cast netting competitions, all of which drew a large number of competitors and ended in a select few winners taking home more than just smiles.

Three year old Finn Hummelshoj and Lloyd and Eli Meighan (aged five and eight), joined the Papas family in turning heads by winning the kids sand sculpting event with their coral experiment.

The kids cast netting competition also attracted an array of talent, and as the event came to a close it was Tyler Robertson who came out on top winning an impressive fishing set.

Rodney Robertson was one of the many locals who enjoyed the festivities with his son and said the community spirit was very much alive.

"It's brilliant you have barbecues along the beach and have the (Dingo Beach) pub serving meals, it's a beautiful spot to be," he said.

"We as a local community came together and cleaned the beach up - everyone has helped everyone."

Dingo Beach Progress Association president Andy Dinne agreed Whitfunday had played an important role in bringing people in the Whitsundays together following tough circumstances.

"It gets people's mind on something different for a change, it's a good day for families," he said.

"This is the busiest day of the year and it's our main fund-raiser for the Progress Association.

"We'd like to try and use money from this year to give to council to put some shade structures over the tables because we lost a lot of trees since the cyclone so we want to put the money back into the community."

Lions president Tim McBride also thought Whitfunday was a time to bind together.

"It gives everyone an opportunity to go out, especially this year after the cyclone which is still having an effect on people," he said.

"We need to recover and the best way to recover is to enjoy yourself."

Proserpine Lion's club volunteers did an outstanding job on the day keeping the community fed with a sausage sizzle and barbecue.

The moment everyone was waiting for came toward the end of the afternoon as a variety of prizes including Festival of Music and Ocean Rafting tickets were auctioned.

Lucco Polly was announced the winner of the highly anticipated Bendigo Bank sponsored $1000 cash draw as her lucky number 448 was randomly selected.

Surprised to have won the ultimate prize, Ms Polly said she would use the $1000 to help pay her bills.

Bendigo Bank spokesperson Leonie Arthur said it was an honour to play such a role in making Whitfunday a success.

"It's our second year sponsoring and we love being involved in the community," she said.

"The more we get involved in the community the more we get out of it and we are proud to be a part of this."

Mr Dinne thanked all the event's sponsors including Cruise Whitsundays, Ocean Rafting and the Lion's Club.