Dazzling Dash and Street Bazaar fun

Chamber executive officer Kate Pitt said the feedback on the event has all been positive - from attendees, stallholders and CBD businesses.

Ms Pitt said everyone involved made sure to have plenty of activities and attractions, a highlight being the 2024 edition of the Deni Dachshund Dash - promoted with the tagline ‘the race that stops Deni’.

Ms Pitt said there are already some great ideas on how to grow the event further, and the community will be asked to provide additional feedback to guide planning for 2025.

It will include gauging whether there is an interest in keeping the event in November, or returning to March when it coincided with the Victorian Labour Day Weekend.

Ms Pitt said there are advantages at both times of the year, but said the November schedule added to what is a vibrant time in the Deni community.

“The Do it in Deni Street Bazaar was just another example of the passionate and dedicated community that Deni has,” she said.

“Just in the last few weeks we’ve had the Spirit of the Muster Ute Display and the mighty Deni Ute Muster, the Deni Gold Cup Races, the Deniliquin Truck Show & Industry Expo, Wamba Wamba Perrepa Perrepa Week, markets, art displays and workshops, concerts, sporting events and an epic Halloween Party in the Deniliquin CBD.

“Saturday was a beautiful sunny morning and the Waring Gardens looked so good it could not have failed to impress the visitors in town for the Victorian long weekend.

“The vibe down the length of both Napier and Cressy streets was very welcoming, friendly and relaxed.

“Many retailers took the time to have bargain tables out the front of their stores which did very well.

“Both the Fishing Challenge and North School raffle stalls reported strong ticket sales, which was understandable as both have great major prizes which were on display.

“The Rotary Club of Deniliquin had a very successful barbecue, with the team kept busy chatting with visitors, cooking sausages and selling Deniliquin time capsule envelopes.

“The U3A and South West Music information stand was a popular stop, and no-one could resist a visit to Steve and Christine Beckwith’s delightful vintage caravan and the other cars on display.

“The Chill Out Centre had many activities for children and families, and was set up on the shady lawn area beside the new home of Edward River Art Society which had its own art display.

“Long-standing Chamber member Jen Edwards ran this section and was very happy with how it went, and is already planning additions to next year’s chill out centre.”

Adding to all this was delicious food, an array of goods provided by Deniliquin’s talented makers, a live radio broadcast, and busking entertainment.

Then it came time for the event of the morning - the Dash.

“Our numbers may have been a little down for the Dash, which we were expecting with the change of date, but as always, it was the absolute highlight of the morning.

“Congratulations to our winner Digby, and owner Annabelle Campbell, and to Vicki Erickson’s Mr Schnitzel who won best dressed.

“The ‘racetrack’ was in perfect condition and there was a lovely buzz prior to and during the races.

“Deniliquin Veterinary Clinic provided a very generous first prize package which the winner received along with the Deni Dachshund Dash trophy.

“It was so well attended and enjoyed that we feel sure that numbers will be back up for next year.”

Ms Pitt said she was grateful to the “small but wonderful community volunteer group” who assisted with the event, specifically mentioning Helen Flisher for her assistance and Chamber social media manager Rebecca Flisher for capturing the whole event.