The cracks of whips, revved-up engines and country music have been the sounds of the NSW Riverina for two days of car-fuelled and camping fun.
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More than 20,000 people attended the 26th Deni Ute Muster in Deniliquin on Friday, October 4, and Saturday, October 5, with some celebrating the event with marriage.
For the first time, an inflatable church was a part of the ute muster, encouraging lovers to take to the altar in front of friends, families and enthused strangers in a non legally-binding ceremony.
Vicar Ben Volchok is a part of the travelling church that has been all over the world.
"It's a way to bring something different to Deni," he said.
"It's a little bit of joy and humour and a way to celebrate all sorts of love."
The brides, grooms and bridal party are invited to put on formal attire including suits, wedding dresses and veils from the church's wardrobe.
The ceremonies were opened on Friday with a couple renewing their vows after 46 years of marriage.
"It's funny because you do get quite a few people come in and get married as a bit of a joke, but it's so the ones that sort of do it genuinely do stand out because you could see the glimmer in their eyes as the bride walks down the aisle in her wedding dress," Mr Volchok said.
The popularity of the weddings, which occur every half an hour, has led to a waiting list and event-goers inquiring if they can hire one for their own events.
The muster's ute show and shine had more than 20 entries, with entries for the "Mini Muster Mobeel" as well, for vehicles for children.
Show and shine winner and car enthusiast Bruce Sutton, of Rochester, Victoria, was shocked when he found out he had taken out both awards.
"It's awesome and I'm just rapt, there's a lot of really nice utes here and a lot of competition so it's great to have a final outcome like that," he said.
The factory V8 HZ Holden one tonner was originally purchased by Mr Sutton about 25 years ago and restored, with the bright orange colour his favourite.
"It used to be a daily driver but now it's a going to be a Sunday driver because it's a classic," he said.
He has attended the festival multiple times and has plans to come back next year.
Mr Sutton finished building the mini ute a week and a half ago in time for judging and to the delight of his grandchildren, as the mini ute has a pedal on the passenger side, a steering wheel, a horn and lights.
Australian and American artists were a part of the festival's entertainment on two stages.
US singer-songwriter and one-half of Florida Georgia Line Tyler Hubbard closed out the first night of the festival, as Australian indie pop singer-songwriter Amy Shark will take to the stage for the second night, as well as US country singer Kip Moore.
Attendees who thought they were master flatpack builders had the chance to compete against each other in an IKEA building competition, judged by IKEA building master Kieran Bullock.
There was also something for everyone with a barnyard petting zoo, silent disco, circus and ferret racing.
The action was not only on the ground but also in the skies, as festival-goers could ride in a helicopter or watch airshows.
The first Deni Play on the Plains Festival, as it was known at the time, took place in October 1999, as 5000 attendees embraced Deniliquin's ute culture.
In its first year, the muster set a Guinness World Record for the most legally paraded utes, at 2839 and this year, the event's goal was to beat the world record of 9736 utes.
The festival is also home to the blue singlet count which started in 2004, attracting thousands of people to the same area wearing the clothing item
Families hold 60 to 70 per cent of the tickets to the festival and it is growing by the year.
Event organiser Vicky Lowry said this year there were more juniors and under 13-year-olds than ever.
"As an event we had to do that ... because if we didn't evolve where would we go?" she said.
The Deni Ute Muster is expected to bring in between $8 to 12 million into the region and attracted people from all over Australia and New Zealand.
"It's amazing for just a two-day event and really good for the region which is what it's all about," Ms Lowry said.
The event on the open plains will conclude with fireworks.
The writer was a guest of Destination NSW.
Madilyn McKinley
You can contact me at madilyn.mckinley@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
