PHOTO: GEMMA SINCLAIR
Now in its fifth year, the event includes a barking competition, a "mullet off" and, for the first time, a "best girls’ ute or SUV" category.
Promotions co-ordinator Annabel Roy said the new category was "to celebrate the girls who drive the utes too".
The event formed part of the "biggest" festival yet, Ms Roy said, with the number of events almost doubling since its inception five years ago.
This year 82 events are taking place over the 10-day festival which starts on Friday.
Registrations for the Ute Muster competition can be made at tussockcountry.nz/tussock-country-ute-muster. The event is being held in the Woolshed Function Centre at the Southern Field Days site from 11am to 4pm.
