Thursday produced the most successful opening in years for the Oak Harbor Public Market on Highway 20.

“For opening day we’re doing real good,” said Sheila Case-Smith, a market organizer and sales person. “It’s the best opening day we’ve had.” She was selling tomato starts, rhubarb and other plants from the back of her pickup truck. “We’re short of produce, but it’s coming on,” she said, alluding to the cold start to the growing season.

Two customers, Gary and Carolyn Swanson, stopped by for some rhubarb. “We always love the market,” Carolyn said. Weather conditions were breezy but mostly sunny in the forested glen next to the chamber of commerce office, and business was brisk for being so early in the season.

Jennifer Schweinhard, market manager, said 16 of the market’s 25 regular vendors were present and she was pleased to see eight “drop-ins.” Drop-ins are unexpected vendors, some of whom come from as far away as Mount Vernon and Sedro-Woolley. They are charged $4 to set up shop for the day.

“We’ve expanded the market a lot. It’s growing,” Schweinhard said. There is space for 40 booths this year compared to 32 last year, and as produce gets ready to harvest the market is expected to fill up. Families bring their kids who like to play in the woods. “I like to think it’s pretty fun,” Schweinhard said.

The opening market featured new attractions such as blended tea, Filipino hot foot and new types of kettle corn, as well as such traditional attractions as bird houses, candy, walking sticks, watercolor paintings and other home-made products.

“I just couldn’t wait for it to open. It’s my favorite thing every Thursday,” said Arlin Deal, who came to the market with her daughter and granddaughter. “It’s a real family affair.”

T-Kae Hutchinson was selling hand-painted light bulbs and had plenty of people looking at her creations. “Actually, it’s a really good turnout,” she said. “And there are many more vendors.”

Thursday’s opening came two days after the second presentation of the First Tuesday Market in downtown Oak Harbor. That market was moved from the street to a parking lot, and it was successful, according to Case-Smith.

“We love the location,” she said, adding that there were plenty of customers but not enough vendors. But she is confident more vendors to attend the next Tuesday market on July 2.

Thursday markets will continue through June from 4-7 p.m., but take a break the first week of July because of Independence Day.