Utes are being washed and polished to help celebrate The Armidale Ute Show’s 10th birthday on March 7, as part of the annual Armidale Show.
Chief steward Adam Tadman said reaching a decade was a milestone for the event.
While there is no major anniversary celebration planned, the four-wheel drive time trial adds another layer of competition to the show, alongside the popular 4WD barrels event in the main ring.
“We’re having a new driving event this year, which is a four-wheel drive time trial,” Mr Tadman said.
The rest of the categories will largely follow previous years, after last year’s event was heavily impacted by cyclone conditions.
“Rather than having our usual 45-ish utes, we only had about 15,” he said.
The Armidale Ute Show regularly attracts entrants from Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, south-east Queensland and beyond.
“There was one person who came from Sydney the last couple of years,” he said.
One entrant also travelled from Nambucca last year, detouring via Glen Innes to make it to the show despite challenging road conditions.
“That’s the dedication that they’ve got to the show,” Mr Tadman said.
The event features a diverse range of categories, from pristine street utes to four-wheel drives and well-used work vehicles.
“Everyone loves a ute because you can do anything to them and eery single ute is set up differently,” Mr Tadman said.
Street utes are typically presented in immaculate condition, while four-wheel drives and work utes have a bit more mud and character. In previous years, the show has even attracted a vehicle from the 1950s.
Main categories include Holden vs Ford, Street, 4WD, BNS Bandit, BNS Wannabe, Feral, Chicks and an open “Other” category for all remaining models.
Sub-categories add further competition, with awards for Furthest Travelled, Most Stickers, Most Aerials, Best Camp Setup and Classic.
Grass events will also feature a Bark Off across V8, six-cylinder, four-cylinder and diesel classes, along with barrel racing and the new 4WD time trial.
Major sponsors including GME, Repco, Supercheap and Autobarn are on board this year, alongside local businesses contributing prizes.
All the action happens on Canambe St in Armidale with gates and registrations open at 10am and closing at 12pm. Judging starts at 12.30pm and there will be the Grand Parade with the 2026 Young Women at 4pm with the barrels event at 6pm.
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