The initial Market on Manteca Thursday lived up to its hype and then some.

More than 1,000 people visited the San Joaquin Certified Market in the 100 block of North Maple Avenue that is part of a City of Manteca effort to re-institute downtown as a community gathering place.

Besides a half dozen farms offering produce picked fresh earlier in the day, there were other foodie booths including custom yogurt, humus and bakery option as well as fresh cut flowers.

Other vendors offered handmade items and commercial wares.

There were also vendors serving ready-to-eat food and cool beverages such as Mexican fruit drinks.

Altogether it delivered a low-key mellow experience for a mid-week evening outing in Manteca.

Its location minimized distractions from passing trains as Maple Avenue not snuggled up against the train tracks as is Library Park. It is also offered more ease for parking.

While there were no stately sycamores, Maple Avenue proved it could hold its own. The two-story post office and other buildings cast welcome shade over more than three quarters of the block that was line almost end to end with booths.

The mini-plaza and adjoining parking lot where the beer garden and entertainment was located was a popular resting spot.

The market continues for another 27 weeks on Thursdays from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com