The first of Oakdale’s weekly Farmer’s Market nights was a big hit, based on the crowd turning out and the number of vendors coming in for the June 7 market.

Running from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the market is scheduled every Thursday night through Aug. 30.

Whether you were looking for fresh cherries or squash, nectarines or flowers, some kettle corn or even a bite of dinner from the new food area, there was plenty to choose from on opening night. There was also music provided by singer-guitarist Chris Farris, animals were offered up for adoption and merchants kept their doors open longer to also serve the downtown crowd on North Third Avenue between D and F streets.

Josh Nicholas, whose daughters Samantha, 14, and Ashley, 12, are the namesakes for Sam & Ash Farms on Santa Fe between Riverbank and Escalon, was on hand to operate the family booth, offering teas, herbs, salts and spices.

“We blend them and package them,” he said of the products. “We do all the local farmers markets and in the Bay Area.”

From Delfa’s Garden on South Henry Road, Delfa Wolaver and son Joe, 8, were busy serving up fresh fruits and vegetables, with squash, peaches, nectarines, garlic, onions and more part of the spread.

“We have a stand, too,” Wolaver said as she set up shop in the downtown Oakdale area for the evening. “We do the Riverbank market and I like to go to Modesto, too.”

Longtime market participant Susan Earl was busy stirring up the kettle corn for Cap’n Coop’s booth, with plenty of patrons ready to enjoy the sweet, salty treat.

DePalma Farms was a return vendor, along with Sheila Burch of Burch Bees, whose honey comes from beehives in Oakdale, Modesto, Hollister, Patterson and Tracy, among other locations.

Organizers said they were pleased with the first night and look forward to more vendors joining in as the summer season moves along.