It’s a crisp autumn night and the Garden of Unearthly Delights is abuzz with people of every description.

The masses are roaming around the 6.5ha Kadlitpina Rundle Park site, which is transformed every March into a place where artists perform, food is served and drinks are drunk.

There’s a steady line up building outside Sandwich Panther, the Garden’s newest food pop-up serving fried chicken sandos, tuna melts, tofu rolls and dumplings.

It’s the handiwork of Jason Barber, who scoured second-hand dealers and closing-down restaurants to build their stall and get equipment, and Alex Fahey of Vietnamese Laundry.

The idea is modelled on the delicacies enjoyed at old-fashioned fish and chip shops.

“We’ve noticed more of these nicer sandwich shops opening up around Australia,” Jason, 30, tells InDaily.

“Having experienced ourselves the growing demand for such a thing, we thought it would be a great way to dip our toes into a new business through the Fringe stall.

“Being able to offer a whole bunch of different flavours and a fresh option that’s made daily, I think we really feel it suits the Fringe.”

Up until this week, they have sold more than 2000 sandwiches.

“Last weekend the crowds just hit, and a lot more popular than we’ve anticipated came past and we’ve had some really good feedback from people doing the laps.”

Now in its 20th year, the Garden is proving somethings do get better with age. Among the other stallholders this year are Pan & Vine, Donut Diner and 48 Flavours Ice Cream.

Jacob Baker and brother Josh have been making coffees and espresso martinis at the Garden for five years. This year the brothers teamed up with Pineapple Brothers to open Lickity Spritz, a spritz bar.

Jacob says it’s been “incredible to see the city come to life once again”.

“My family’s been gardening for a long time now and it’s become a bit of a family tradition,” he says.

“We thought it was time for some summertime spritz to be added to the show.”

In between the food, the drinks and the carnival rides and sideshows, are the world-class shows drawing in the crowds.

Audiences are lining up outside Blanc de Blanc Encore, while people eagerly await to get a chance at the Darkfield Experiences.

Cabaret artist Reuben Kaye’s shows, The Butch is Back and The Kaye Hole, also prove popular, boasted as “the hottest late-night ticket in town”.

One of the Garden’s producers, Michelle Buxton, says shows are selling well, with demand for comedians including Stephen K Amos, Nurse Georgie Carroll and Judith Lucy and Denise Scott among the hottest acts.

“Ticket sales have been phenomenally good this year and it is great to see so many people getting out and enjoying live performances,” Michelle says.

“The site looks totally beautiful and our venues are more spread out which has created lots of gorgeous outdoor spaces for people to spread out so they do not feel over-crowded.

“The Garden vibe is great and the excitement is definitely contagious.” 

Head to the website for tickets and more information.