AS the sun set on the first day of the Deni Ute Muster, event co-ordinator John Harvie said it had been "absolutely sensational". See our pics

After traffic jams this morning and an action-packed day of entertainment the only problem will be fitting everyone in.

“The camping areas are filling up,'' John says. “The number of families is up by at least 40 per cent.''

Hoping to break last year's record of 6,235 utes, John says this year's muster is on track to be the biggest ever.

"The improvements to the grounds are proving very successful,'' John says. "Especially the new terrace seating in the main sports arena.

''Crowds at the muster now have a much better view over the wide variety of sporting events in the arena and John says the vision is “quite spectacular''.

John says among the many highlights from the first day was the first round of the National Circle Work Championships, with the final to take place tomorrow.

"And the Yamaha Motorcross riders in the arena now are also getting great support,'' says John.“Bikes jumping tractors - it's Brilliant.''

John says that the event is already booming but that he expects another massive rush of arrivals between 5pm and 10pm tonight.

"The crowd from Melbourne will be arriving soon and we will start to see just how big this things going to get,'' John says.

With Lee Kernaghan taking centre stage this evening, John says he is looking forward to belting one out with the boys from the bush.“And I can't wait to see how The Living End are received tomorrow,'' John says.

THE STATS:

    At the Deni Ute Muster in 2007:
  • there were 6, 235 utes  and 31,175 tyres and spares
  • there were approximately 15,000 swags
  • the average overall value of utes (at $20,000 a ute) was $25 million
    At this year's festival:
  • average kilometres driven to the festival was 378km
  • is held on 120 acres
  • there are 240 marquees, 32 generators and 200 volunteers
  • 43% of the utes are Holdens, 23% are Toyotas, 21% are Fords and 8% are Nissans
    Of the musterers:
  • 60% are guys and 40% are girls
  • 6% are from Deniliquin, 695 are from Victoria, 15% are from NSW and 10% are from other states.
  • They will spend approximately $600 each during the event.
  • The total amount of outside money brought into Deniliquin during the festival is $10 million.