Two police officers were injured at the Deni Ute Muster by an exploding butane gas bottle, and others were pelted with eggs and bottles by a rowdy crowd.
Thousands of revellers flocked to the annual country music festival at Deniliquin, NSW, and police said the behaviour of the crowd was generally good until things became rowdy on Saturday night.
Firefighters responded after several fires were lit outside drums and police were pelted with eggs, bottles, sauce and other objects.
A cowboy rides a bull during the Deni Rodeo on Saturday, using all of his skills to stay on top of the animal (pictured)
Bottoms up! Two men drink beer from their shoes at the alcohol-fueled event (pictured)
Two officers suffered minor injuries when they were hit by shrapnel after the gas bottle was lobbed into a fire and blew up, and one of their colleagues had dirty diesel fuel thrown over them.
Most of the injuries were of a ‘relatively-minor nature’ and Superintendent Paul Condon said police were prepared for a busy festival because the warm weather.
‘Unfortunately, the small few seem intent on spoiling the event for the greater majority, because any level of assault on our police is simply unacceptable,’ he said.
‘The police are there to keep people safe… to have them attacked for striving to achieve this goal is simply disappointing.’
A Rodeo Clown nicknamed Kelpie spits fire as part of a break in the action during the Deni Rodeo (pictured)
Deniliquin in country New South Wales is the undisputed Ute Capital of the World and has been hosting the festival since 1999, when the region was struck by a crippling drought (pictured is a reveller at dawn on Friday)
There were almost 40 drug detections, compared to only eight last year, and two dozen people face charges, most for drug-related matters.
A 20-year-old man was charged with intentionally throwing an object at a vehicle and wilfully obstruct an officer in relation to the trouble on Saturday night, and will face Deniliquin Local Court on November 7.
Police will now work with the festival committee to ensure there isn’t a repeat of the incidents next year.
Naked mud dancing, gas-powered beer bongs, and fire breathing were all on the two-day agenda with many revellers enjoying their cars just as much as their beers.
A competitor in the ‘Barrel Racing’ Ute competition at the 2017 Deni Ute Muster is watched by the crowd at the iconic festival
A man wears a traditional swagmans hat adorned with badges from past Deni Musters along with political statements (pictured)
Deniliquin in country NSW is the undisputed Ute Capital of the World and has been hosting the festival since 1999, when the region was struck by a crippling drought.
The town is surrounded by some of the largest, flattest, natural, open plains on earth – an ideal home for ute culture.
The iconic festival includes the Guinness World Record breaking Ute Muster and blue singlet count which attract locals and visitors from around Australia and the world alike.
The two-day event featured more than 24 hours of live music, the Ute Show N Shine competition and the Bull Ride Spectacular rodeo event.
A competitor swings their ute around as it maneuvers around witches hats in the ‘Barrel Racing’ ute competition on Friday
A bull rider hits the ground hard during the Deni Rodeo at the Uts Muster (pictured)
A ute flying two huge Bundaberg Rum flags kicks up clouds of dust in the ‘Barrel Racing’ ute competition on Friday morning
The town is surrounded by some of the largest, flattest, natural, open plains on earth – an ideal home for ute culture (pictured is a ute with Australian flags attached at dawn on day one of the 2017 Deni Ute Muster)
The all-Australian music line-up included performances by Lee Kernaghan, Shannon Noll, The McClymonts, Beccy Cole, Sara Storer, Sunny Cowgirls, The Wolfe Brothers, and others.
Visitors watched the NSW Whip Cracking Championships, woodchopping demonstrations, helicopter rides, the Brophy Bros Circus, camel rides, and the AFL Grand Final on a big screen.
Many participated in the Deni D-Max Hay Bale Hustle, where teams of two tested their hay baling skills against the best from around the country to win 4WD accessories.
Revellers come together to celebrate all things Australian and the icon of the Ute in a weekend of music, competitions and camping (pictured is a man drinking at dawn on Friday)
A competitor prepares for a wood chopping competition at the 2017 Deni Ute Muster, balancing with an axe in his hand
A family watches a performance by the Matt Mingay stunt drivers at the 2017 Deni Ute Muster during day one of the festival
There were also thoroughbred pig races, bubble soccer, a balloon trainer and reptile awareness displays for visitors in the mood for something a little more unusual.
The Family Centre ran free children’s activities with face painting, wood work, bubble blowing, stilt walking all available with tea and coffee for the mums.
Whip cracking was the preferred way to spend Friday morning for many early birds at the Deni Ute Muster on its first day