This year, even the weather has ticked the box for the annual Lismore Cup race day at the Lismore Turf Club. Now all that is left is for the crowd to turn up on Friday afternoon and enjoy a perfect spring day at one of Lismore's premier social events.

The Turf Club was a hive of activity yesterday afternoon as the final preparations were being made to the course and the hospitality areas. Part of those preparations was watering the race track to keep it from becoming too firm on race day. Something unheard of in recent years, with all the rain Lismore has recorded.

The Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting a mostly sunny day with a top of 28 degrees with light winds. Turf Club Secretary Manager Scott Jones and Operations Manager Daniel Kedraika are smiling as the 2025 Lismore Workers Club Lismore Cup comes together for the first time in six years. The last time they had a crowd of around 5,000 was in 2019, thanks to two years of COVID, the loss of the gazetted half-day holiday on Thursday and two washouts.

The potential of wet weather really influences people's decision on when to book tickets.

"It was actually slow ticket sales early. I'm talking about two or three weeks ago, but that was when it was still raining. In the last two weeks, we've sold everything. So there's only general admission left. And I think that's literally because the sun came out, and Lismore went, it's actually going to race this year.

(The Trackside Tables and the VIP Area ready to greet racegoers on Friday afternoon)

"I can't blame anyone for not buying a ticket early around here for an outdoor event. But the sun's come out and everything is sold out. I actually think we should get near the crowds of 2019. It will be unreal to see that happen. We've only had the 'After the Last Party' at the Thursday cup two years ago. We would have had it last year, but it washed out.

"So I think this one, being on the Friday afternoon, with the Masters Games in town, and good weather, is going to have a great turnout. We're doing pizzas and barbecues and stuff through till nine o'clock, it should be good."

The Billy Gudgeon Band will hit the stage straight after the final race, which is scheduled for 4:59pm.

To cater for the first large crowd for some years, Scott and Daniel are using a vending machine for some of the alcohol service near the staging and bookies ring. There will be two guards monitoring procedures, re-stocking and making sure everyone is 18 and above and to monitor responsible serving of alcohol.

"It's called Tapped Productions. It's a vending machine that'll do the alcohol service in the back, which will be something new and different, that just should speed up service. It's got seven terminals in it, so seven people can be getting four drinks at a time. We should be able to get everyone through.

"We've got more food locations, like I said, After the Last Party with Billy Gudgeon, he'll keep everyone here until a bit later, and it just sort of helps get the influx of crowd back into town, because they just slowly leave, rather than 5000 people all leaving at 5:30. That's better for the town as well."

For those worried about getting into town, there will be shuttle buses running at $5 per person.

"As the Lismore Workers Club is the major sponsor for the day, they pick up at the Workers Golf Club, the Workers Club itself, and then at the Woodlark Street bust just down from Mary G's. You can get to the track from 11:45am to 2:30pm and then they get you home from 5:30pm to 9pm, every 15 minutes."

Another major event that is part of the Lismore Cup is the Fashions on the Field. This year, there are more prizes, so get ready to register and walk the stage on Friday.

"Hello World Travel Lismore have come on board as the sponsor, and there are a few more prizes. I think there's over $3,000 or $4,000 worth of prizes this time, including travel vouchers and cold hard cash. One o'clock is when the heats start, so register as soon as you get here," Scott said.

"We've got a few judges that are heavily into it. Check out their profiles on our social media. So, it should be competitive.

There will be four categories that will be eligible for judging:

• Best Dressed Man
• Best Dressed Couple
• Best Dressed Lady (-40)
• Best Dressed Woman (+40)

As for the Lismore Workers Club Lismore Cup, there is a field of 15 after final acceptances yesterday, all vying for the $75,000 prize money. The winner and runner-up qualify for the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick in Sydney as part of Melbourne Cup Day. The horse that finishes third qualifies for the Little Dance, which is a $750,000 race on the same day.

"We've got our local man, who's in our stables here, Dan Bowen, he's got one in, so I'm praying that he can get one up. It'll be unreal, but just as long as it's a competitive race, to be honest."

The Lismore Cup carnival now has two elements to it. The first is today's Viva Racing Lismore Cup Golf Day, followed by cup day on Friday.

2024 was the first time for the golf day, and it was a huge success. This year, there are 34 four-person teams teeing off at 12 midday today, building up to the Calcutta draw at the end of the day in the Lismore Golf Club. Last year, the pool went from $5,000 to $25,000. This year, Scott is hoping for a pool of $30-35,000.

"It just creates more interest and more people," he said.

The $200,000 hole-in-one makes a return, there was no winner in 2024, so Scott is hoping for a winner this year. Plus, there are prizes for nearest the pins on all the par-3s in 2025.

"If no one wins the 200,000, we've got a $1,000 tab voucher for the person who gets closest, and then there's another $4,000 in golf prizes for the comp. There's a fair bit in it for us, but the support is there."

The golf day weather is also perfect, with a sunny 26 degrees expected.

The stars have not aligned for Scott and Daniel for the Lismore Cup recently; however, 2025 is different. As the proverb says, 'make hay while the sun shines' and get to the Lismore Turf Club anytime on Friday afternoon.

General Admission tickets are $25 at the gate, which includes the After the Last party with Billy Gudgeon. If you can't get away from work but can make it after 4pm, there is an After the Last Party ticket for $10 at the gate.