Although many traders said they had turned over similar amounts to last year, they all agreed the cost of an extra five days' food and lodging had dug into their profits.
While traders at the "new" Village Green said they made money, others were not so lucky, especially those around the Old Gaol and the alley leading to Fiddler's Green.
"We have had no spinoffs from the World Cup, even though Port Elizabeth is just down the road," cobbler Dael Lithgow complained.
The Daily Dispatch paid a whirlwind visit to many of the festival's colourful characters to see just how they had fared.
Lithgow, who drove to the festival with 200 pairs of boots, said he believed many people spent their hard earned cash on the World Cup and not at the festival as anticipated.
"It was a big gamble. Everybody thought there would be big spinoffs from the World Cup, but it did not happen. Everybody is down from last year because of the added costs."
Although his stall cost only R300 extra from last year's R3 000 price, Lithgow said his accommodation was an extra R1 000 and his food a similar amount.
Trading below the Drostdy Arch at the top of High Street, Zimbabwean wire wizard Blessing Nyakutira said he had dropped prices on his funky beaded flowers to try and make a few more sales.
"I am sour," he said. "The customers have not been so much as before and people do not seem to have much money to spend, but I am still trying to make some deals."
Fellow Zimbabwean Wellington Tsiga said he thought his fifth year trading at the festival would be his "best ever".
"It is down, but times are tough and people do not have much money. At least I made something."
Veteran clothing trader Rupert Staveley said organisers needed to come up with more free street entertainment to pull the crowds.
"It is a pity our last day was the best of the festival. The spirit of the festival was not the same as previous years."
Rupa, who works at the Hare Krishna food stall, said extending the festival had meant they had made more money than last year.
"People have to eat," he explained. "It did not, however, seem as busy this time round compared to last year.
"Even though it was not the best festival ever, it still pulls the nicest and coolest people in South Africa."
Old Gaol traders Pashia Dhlamini, a Transkei sangoma, and Port St Johns photographer Roger Bulbring said business had been "very slow" at their chosen spot.
"I met more traders than buyers and even more beggars," Dhlamini said.
Bulbring said although sales had been dismal he had still enjoyed meeting and photographing the "amazing freaks and looneys".
"It was a lot of fun. I had some good parties."
Source: Daily Dispatch
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