Children in Muster Blueys joined Amber Lawrence and her band for a flash mob on Tuesday night.
The scene was set early for this weekend’s Deni Ute Muster, with two big events over two days to launch almost a full week of dedicated activities.
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On Tuesday night, the inaugural grant funded Spirit of the Muster Street Festival brought the CBD to life.
The carnival style atmosphere was embraced by CBD businesses, many of whom traded late or hosted special Muster ‘activations’ - including the team here at the Deniliquin Pastoral Times.
The CBD was again transformed for the return of the Edward River Council and Deniliquin Business Chamber’s now annual Spirit of the Muster event on Wesdnesday.
A mini Muster arena was created in Cressy St, which was lined on both sides by utes of all shapes, sizes and colours.
The interest from ute owners was so strong, they could not all fit in, with some spilling into the Waring Gardens.
In the sunshine, spectators could vote for their favourite ute on display for the People’s Choice Best Ute competition.
There was also quality live music provided by Amber Lawrence and Ellis Undercover, who will both perform at the Deni Ute Muster this weekend, as well as art, activities, market stalls, community fuindraisers and food stalls providing energy and lots of family fun.
Ute display organiser Cooper Arthur, from Instinct Media, said this year’s Spirit of the Muster had grown setting up another vibrant atmosphere in town ahead of the Deni Ute Muster.
“We had 100 utes and cars this year, which is up from 65 last year,” he said.
“The event’s evolving and we want it to come back bigger and better, to represent not just the festival but something that is more for the town itself.
“I wanted to make something that had all of the elements, that people come spend the day and check it out and hopefully plant the seed for the next generation of ute lovers and to bring people into town and enjoy it.
Emma Heywood, Cayla Payne, Laura Messimeris, Lilly Matthews and Zachary Davis.
Photo by
Rebecca Flisher
“Being school holidays we also wanted something that is family-friendly.
“Council organises all the community involvement and bits in between.
“It also gives you that element of what the Muster used to be like, while being safe for everyone to bring all the kids out and enjoy themselves.”
Tuesday night has a lot of the fanfare of Wednesday’s event, in hyper drive.
Some of the attractions included neon installations - including the LandCruiser photobooth hosted by the Pastoral Times - and the Aboriginal Regional Arts Alliance NSW Lighting Up Culture Deni.
There was also a fire breather, glow stick ninja, workshops with 360 ALLSTARS.
Live music from local and visiting artists - including Amber Lawrence, who teamed up with local children and local choir The Gents to include the community.
The Deniliquin Business Chamber’s fashion parade - showcasing items available from local stores, modelled by locals - was popular, and of the local business stalls Mokanger Butchery made an impression with its barbecue.
At one stage, the line-up for a sausage or burger was so long it was backed up to the gardens across the road.
Other highlights from the five-hour long activities fest included the appearance from Muster favourites Roo’d in their giant kangaroo suits and the driving simulator.
The chaos settled once the free family moving screenings in the gardens began, with activities wrapped up by about 10pm.
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