Victorian public holiday to boost numbers for Deni Ute Muster

VICTORIA’S Grand Final Friday holiday will result in a record-breaking Deni Ute Muster, it’s hoped.

Best Weekend Deni Ute Muster Picture supplied

DENI Ute Muster organisers are hoping a public holiday in Victoria will help bring a record number of utes to the event this weekend.

Large numbers are expected to cross the border from Friday as the Southern Riverina event gears up to celebrate its 17th year.

Ute Muster board chairman Russell Tait said the muster continued to draw tens of thousands of people to Deniliquin each year, contributing $13 million to the local economy annually.

“The national exposure it has given Deniliquin is enormous,” Mr Tait said.

Mr Tait said in the 17 years the muster has been running, he has seen it evolve into a family friendly event that has entertainment that appeals to all ages.

“This year we even have an 81-year-old lady driving her ute down from Canberra,” he said.

“People talk about bucket list activities and events — well this is a fair dinkum bucket list weekend.”

The headline act this year is Cold Chisel as part the band’s one night stand Australian tour.

They will be supported by Birds of Tokyo and more traditional country favourites Lee Kernaghan, Adam Brand and The McLymonts.

New features this year include pro-wrestling displays, a super fishing tank and the inaugural tradie challenge to build the best outdoor dunny.

The AFL grand final will be shown on the big screens in the main arena and bars, with the world record ute count starting at 8am on Saturday and the blue singlet count at noon.

The numbers to beat this year are 9736 utes and 3924 blue singlets.

“Being a long weekend in Victoria I’m sure we’ll give both records a pretty good crack this year,” Mr Tait said.