Ute-Opia

In March 1999, about 40 community-minded Deniliquin and district residents attended ameeting to discuss ideas for a new town festival. It was decided the festival should be a celebration of rural lifestyle, with one suggestion thatthere could be a gathering of utes, perhaps expanding on a Beaut Ute competition whichhad been held as part of the town's annual agricultural show. The festival should also have acountry music concert.In the ensuing months constant contact was made with the...
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In March 1999, about 40 community-minded Deniliquin and district residents attended ameeting to discuss ideas for a new town festival. It was decided the festival should be a celebration of rural lifestyle, with one suggestion thatthere could be a gathering of utes, perhaps expanding on a Beaut Ute competition whichhad been held as part of the town's annual agricultural show. The festival should also have acountry music concert.In the ensuing months constant contact was made with the good people at Guinness WorldRecords and it was agreed that part of the first Deni - Play on the Plains Festival, as it wasnamed, would be a world record attempt for the largest gathering of utes. The country musicconcert would be headlined by Australia's number one country star, Lee Kernaghan.And so the scene was set for what has become a phenomenon.The target of 1,000 utes set for the inaugural festival was considered a little too optimistic insome quarters, but it was obvious soon after these iconic Aussie vehicles and their passionateowners started rolling into town that it would be smashed.Thus started an annual event in its 15th year that has grown from a gathering of utes and afew associated activities to one which festival favourite Lee Kernaghan has described as "theultimate event at which anyone could play". At the record breaking 2010 festival he said:"Every time I come back I see how the festival has grown and how the organisers are continuingto make the festival a safe, exciting experience for everyone. It's a truly world class event."Yes, the Deni Ute Muster is world class, and more besides. It's unique, like nothing else onthe planet. And with a huge array of activities it has grown from a festival almost exclusivelyfor ute lovers to one that now attracts all age groups - from kids with Mum and Dad, to GreyNomads in their motorhomes and caravans.