It’s already one of the coolest events on the culinary calendar but the groovy vibe of Eat the Street will this year have additional help from the recent, real, drop in temperatures.

Autumn has made itself felt overnight in the region and Saturday should kick off with a tolerable 16 deg, rising to a high of 27 – still not too uncomfortable, considering what we had to get used to this summer. The real killer – humidity – should be lower than it has been too.

Rain is the only thing likely to (literally) put a dampener on proceedings at what has become an iconic Lismore food and culture festival, and the Bureau of Meteorology has some good news for us there.

The chance of rain is a slight 30 per cent, the weather boffins predict, and mainly in the morning. The day is likely to remain cloudy, with light winds – perfect conditions for enjoying the fun, food, wine, music and art and crafty goings-on in the CBD, turned pedestrian-friendly for the day.

Even the rain in 2018 didn’t discourage the crowds from flocking to enjoy the stunning variety of fresh local food and wine, recalled acting city manager Nathan Dee, who added that the event would go ahead rain, hail or shine.

Highlights for Nathan this year will be the new Garden Party at the Back Alley Gallery, the Master Class with celebrity chef Georgia Barnes and, as a fan of smoked meats, a visit to the two relevant stalls.

There’s something for everyone on offer: South Indian curries, Mexican tacos, Japanese gyoza, paella, crepes, yum cha – the flavours of the world come to town, and at $5-$10 a plate, very few punters will leave with appetites intact.

There are only two things to bring with you: an empty tummy and an umbrella – just in case.