The Methven Ute Muster, in its 3rd year, is set to be a star attraction at this year's Methven A&P Show on March 16.

The ute muster attracts a wide array of vehicles and organisers encourage anyone with a ute or pick-up to enter, whether your vehicle is show quality or a well-worn farm truck.

"We have entries from vintage cars through to big Dodge

Rams," Methven A&P Show committee member and Ute Muster organiser Craig

Elliott says. Previous events have seen entries of classic pick-ups, new four-wheel-drives, company vehicles and farm trucks.

Some vehicles that are big on character but not on roadworthiness are transported on a trailer due to a lack of warrant of fitness or registration.

With categories that include Best Presented and Cleanest Ute and the Dirtiest, Roughest Ute; there is a category for all utes, no matter their age or state of repair.

"All vehicles will be parked up at 10 am, and judging starts

about 10:30.

"They have a prize giving around lunchtime and an opportunity to look around the other vehicles.

"It's basically like a car show," Elliott said

With $5000 in prizes up for grabs from generous sponsors, winners

are set to go home happy.

Winning vehicles also secure a spot in the Methven A&P Show grand parade.

Organisers are also planning to add a tug-of-war to the mix

this year.

"We will shoulder-tap people on the day and see if they want to do a tug-of-war.

"We will line up a few different brands of vehicles and do that in the arena, outside the bar area."

Elliott said that utes were a passion for younger generation, which has helped the event grow in popularity.

"You look around now, and a lot of the young ones drive utes instead of cars.

"It's just a good rural  fun day out, basically."

Registration for the Ute Muster can be made on the day for a

$30 entry fee, which includes a driver's gate pass to the A&P Show.

Categories:

Best presented/ cleanest

Best paint job

Pre-1984/vintage

Tradies Ute

Dirtiest/roughest ute

Best sign written

Best accessorised

Best modified

Shepherds ute

American pick-up

By Claire Inkson