Mick Summers says Deni Ute Muster epitomises bush spirit

The Deniliquin local has attended every muster since the inaugural event in 1999.

The event - which takes place on the last weekend of September, was initially dominated by young working "jackaroos" and "jillaroos" who would head to the muster to let their hair down.

"The grain harvest starts in October, so everyone heads to Deni and has a big blowout before they work flat out for the next four months," Mick said.

Nowadays you are just as likely to see families or grey nomads visiting from out of town to soak in the bush atmosphere.

"A lot of those kids who were in their 20s (during the inaugural event) are now bringing their kids along."

These days the muster is split into two areas - one where all the young workers can meet up and have a great time together, and another for families, grey nomads and other visitors from outside the area.

"Over the years it's sort of turned full circle to a full family event. People with caravans come from all over Australia."

It has become an eagerly anticipated family event for Mick and his wife Michele too.

"Both my kids live in Melbourne, so they come up, bring the grandkids and we all camp out every year.

"It's a fun event, a lot of people go. It's the only event (in the area) you can actually take your caravan to....you can bring your caravan and you're 200 metres away from the stage."

Mick said people heading to the event for the first time this year could expect to experience great live music from some of Australia's leading artists, a range of fun competitions and events and plenty of camaraderie.

Above all else, they can expect a healthy dose of the indominable bush spirit. Mick said revellers were intent on having a great time, rain hail or shine.

"One year - I think it was 2013, they had about 100-125mm of rain the day before the event and that was the best year I can remember."

It was so wet and muddy that Mick - a driver who transports grain, cattle fertiliser and other things for a living, had to tow hundreds of vehicles out of the boggy grounds on the Sunday with a tractor.

"It was just a mess, but everyone made it a great time.

"But that's a typical bush thing, if you've got adversity, it is what it is."

This year's festival takes place on September 29 and 30. Performers will include Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole, Andrew Swift, Casey Barnes, Catherine Britt, James Johnston, Jayne Denham, Jessica Mauboy, John Williamson, Lee Kernaghan and Missy Higgins.

Highlights of the events and activities program include the ever-popular driving competitions, barrel races and go to wo competitions.

Younger musterers will be able to enjoy a range of events and activities including a junior racing experience where kids, teens and their parents get to race to determine the fastest driver in the family.

There will also be an opportunity to see what it's like to be passenger in a monster truck, or check out a range of animals at the mobile zoo.

There will be ferret races, a range of workshops for musterers young and old, ice skating, a chance to watch the construction of a giant LEGO design, a screening of the AFL grand final in the main arena and much more.

Guests at this year's Deni Ute Muster will be supporting vulnerable members of the community, with proceeds from the event to go towards the Navorina Nursing Home.

Organisers have selected the home - a Deni institution, as its charity partner for this year's event, which takes place on September 29 and 30.

For more information on this year's event click here.