Glorious sunny spring days are tipped to shine on this year’s muster, with predicted temperatures in the mid-to-high 20s, allowing patrons to take full advantage of all the festival fun.

Bigger than ever, a program of around-the-ground entertainment has been organised for this year, to complement massive music concerts set to start early and continue throughout the day and well into the night.

There is something for the entire family. A highlight for the youngsters will be the appearance of Mack the Transporter and Lightning McQueen from the popular Disney-Pixar animated films Cars and Cars 2.

Kids will be able to get up close and personal and immerse themselves in a world of Cars-related activities.

Leading the masses through the front gates on Friday morning will be the supercharged Holden GTS Maloo, which has been officially declared as the world’s fastest ute. It will be on display throughout the weekend.

Also featuring will be the world’s fastest earthmover, the 1000 horsepower JCB GT, a unique one-off machine direct from the UK. It will be accompanied by the JCB Dancing Diggers, whose stunning acrobatics have become a YouTube sensation.

Popular attractions returning to the muster this year include the Bull Ride Spectacular, the Australian National Circle Work Championships, Ute Museum, Holden Grunt Off, Holden Barrel Race, Show’n’Shine, Carnivale Corner, helicopter rides, the mechanical bucking bull, woodchop demonstrations and Whip Cracking Championships.

They’ll set the scene for what is sure to be one hell of a muster.

The muster music concerts have always been an event highlight and this year is no exception. Following the late withdrawal of Jimmy Barnes, due to ongoing health issues, Australia’s Queen of Country Kasey Chambers has been added to the Saturday night program. She will join a world-class line-up of musicians, including Gary Allan, The Mavericks, Troy Cassar-Daley, Adam Harvey, Spiderbait, Blackjack Billy, Sheppard, Morgan Evans and The Sunny Cowgirls. Soaking up the fun and mingling with the crowds will be the Ute Muster ambassadors, AFL legend Billy Brownless, five-time Olympic medallist Melanie Schlanger and Olympic swimmer Chris Wright.

The Deni Ute Muster “charity of the year” is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, which will showcase its aeromedical educational simulator – a full-sized replica of the cockpit and fuselage of a RFDS King Air B200 aircraft. Visitors will be able to experience what it’s like to be a pilot, flight nurse or flying doctor, with RFDS staff on hand to explain the aircraft’s capabilities and the work they do.

The 16th annual Deni Ute Muster will be held at the muster site, Conargo Road, Deniliquin, this Friday and Saturday, October 3 and 4.

Tickets are available at www.deniutemuster.com.au.

You can purchase a weekend pass or a Saturday pass. Kids under 13 are free.

The 2014 Deni Ute Muster is proudly supported by the NSW government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.