Downtown merchants and bargain hunters have enjoyed milder-than-usual weather so far during the 48th annual Downtown Lawrence Sidewalk Sale.

“I think the cooler temperatures are bringing more people in,” said Dan Hughes, a board member for Downtown Lawrence Inc., the sale’s organizer. “It’s not 105 degrees like it’s been in the past.”

As of 1 p.m., the temperature had reached 84 degrees. Skies had been partly cloudy most of the day, and the only rain had been a few sprinkles around 12:30 p.m. The forecast from 6News meteorologists called for a high temperature around 90, with possible afternoon storms.

Hughes, owner of Sunflower Outdoor & Bike Shop, watched the sale from the store, 802 Massachusetts St. He said crowds were biggest between about 7 and 10 a.m., when early-morning bargain hunters swept in to find the best deals.

Jake Jordan, a young Lawrence resident, was among the bargain hunters.

“Down at The Gap there are really stylish sweatshirts with no sleeves that everyone should have for the fall season,” he said.

The event was scheduled to last from sunup to sundown. In the past, the sale has attracted about 20,000 customers to downtown.

Derek Kappelman of Lawrence said he’d arrived downtown at 5:30 a.m. to find the best deals. He said he’d found a $130 pair of jeans marked down to $10 at Hobbs, 700 Massachusetts.

Mark Swanson, Hobbs’ owner, said he enjoyed the festive atmosphere of the sidewalk sale, which included costumes, music and dancing. He said it also provided a way to clear out some inventory.

“This is just a fun chaos day,” Swanson said. “This is all about making room for the fall.”