The Pretoria Hotel in Mannum is gearing up for a day of excitement and celebration as the SA Truck and Ute Show makes a comeback on Sunday, 11 June. This event marks a significant milestone for the town, as it is the first major gathering since the devastating floods that struck in December 2022.
The Truck and Ute Show will bring together trucks, utes, and 4WDs, turning the Mannum Main Street into a lively spectacle. The street will be closed to traffic between 9 am and 4 pm to accommodate the parade of vehicles. Over 250 businesses along the banks of the Murray River were impacted by the floods, which reached the highest levels seen in over 60 years.
Pretoria Hotel Manager Brad Harper says that they are “one of the lucky ones” in Mannum to have returned to business just months after the river level peaked at 2.5 metres higher than average water levels, causing the main street of the historic town on the west bank of South Australia’s Murray River to close to the public.
“It is great to see that the Mannum Progress Association has gone ahead with the event despite the community still feeling the effects of the floods,” Brad says.
“Mannum was one of the worst off so I think it’s also important for the community to be going ahead with activities and events such as these to hopefully encourage more visitors to the region,” he says.
The Pretoria Hotel’s Main Street Bar will be ready to welcome attendees, serving drinks from 10 am and offering food from 11:30 am. The venue, situated by the river, has been a local hotspot for over a century, drawing in both residents and tourists.
Hurley Hotel Group Managing Director and Owner, Jenny Hurley, says the hotel would not have been able to return to trading without the support of the Murraylands community.
“There has been an incredible sense of community since the flood crisis, especially among our staff members because of our connection to Pretoria,” Jenny says.
“We are excited to see the town be brought back to life starting with the Truck and Ute Show and hopefully tourism to return to what it was this time last year,” she says.
The event coincides with the upcoming second rollout of River Revival Vouchers by the government. Ranging from $100 to $750, these vouchers aim to attract tourists to the region. The first round of vouchers resulted in a remarkable $1.8 million in bookings for accommodation and experience providers.
For those eager to join the truck enthusiasts, the Pretoria Hotel encourages securing a stay in advance or booking a table along the picturesque Murray River.
The SA Truck and Ute Show promises to be a day of joy and rejuvenation for the Mannum community, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity and signaling a new chapter of recovery for the town.
SA Truck and Ute Show
When: Sunday 11th June 9am – 4pm
Where: Randell St, Mannum SA 5238
For more information, click here.
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