Crowd shot blue singlet competition
Photo by
Daneka Hill
Eager fans have helped the Deni Ute Muster to another official Guinness World Record.
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After a two year hiatus forced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Muster goers marched into the arena proudly sporting their blue singlets on Saturday.
There were 4,136 attendees wearing singlets in fact, beating the previous record set in 2019 by 164.
That 2019 record of 3972 bested the previous record by only 13.
The weekends other World Record attempt saw 7962 utes counted in the official Ute Paddock.
While still impressive, it was well shy of the standing record of 9736 set in 2013.
The Ute Paddock represented a mere portion of the total number of utes attending the festival, with others spreading into the other camp sites and parking areas, and therefore not officially counted.
Festival general manager Vicky Lowry and her team said about 18,000 people teemed through the gates for the entertainment over Friday and Saturday.
“Thank you to all who attended and made our comeback such a huge success,” Mrs Lowry said.
“There were so many highlights: from the gates opening with waves of thank yous as we welcomed you back, a new Blue Singlet Record Count and the entertainment on the stages and around the ground.
“The joy and excitement on the faces of the family who won the raffle ute and families and friends once again making memories (make it worthwhile).
“We are proud of the event that we have put on after coming back after COVID.”
Vonnie and Jordan Hodge Koo Wee Rup Victoria made sure to get their blueys on and be counted on Saturday.
Each person who purchased a 2022 Deni Ute Muster adult ticket, or rolled their adult 2020 or 2021 ticket over to 2022, received one entry into the raffle.
The prize was a Toyota Hilux 4 x 4 Rogue dual cab ute with a host of extras, and was won by Robyn Bell from the Mallee region.
While the gates to the Ute Muster site were thrown open early Friday morning, the event was officially opened Friday afternoon at the Chairman’s Reception.
Special guest speakers included former politician and tourism committee member Kay Hull AO and NSW Deputy Premier Paul Toole.
Mr Toole was asked to officially open the Muster, and to launch government funded upgrades intending to make the event site more accessible.
The Muster committee was awarded $115,672 grant from the Regional Events Acceleration Fund for the upgrades.
“It’s great to see the return of the Deni Ute Muster, and we have used the time to deliver camping and accessibility upgrades, including work to improve the parking area and additional portable buildings, to allow even more people to enjoy the magic of the Muster,” Mr Toole said.
“Thanks to REAF, this year’s Muster also had a family-friendly focus with a special appearance from celebrated children’s television star Bluey the blue heeler and his sister Bingo to keep the kids entertained.
“This 24th annual event has previously drawn a World Record 9,736 utes, bringing valuable tourist dollars to Deni and supporting the economy of the entire region as the Muster becomes bigger, better and more inclusive.”
Mrs Lowry said the funding has helped boost the event’s appeal to a wider range of festival goers than ever before, bringing big benefits to the region.
“It was so great to see the town so full and to see people in the town visiting our shops and cafes ahead of the event,” she said.
“We started the Muster to bring people to the region; that’s what we are all about and that’s why we are here.
“It’s not just people from far and wide and interstate, it’s local families coming out here and enjoying the site and the entertainment, and it’s wonderful to see the event being inclusive for all.”
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