SAN LEANDRO — Delbert Abrams leaned back on a table in the parking lot of the Englander Sports Pub and, while eating a hot link, nodded his head to his all-time favorite tune: "Girl From Ipanema."

A Vallejo resident, Abrams had just finished a meeting a few minutes earlier and decided to stop by the Bank of the West downtown before embarking on the long drive he usually takes back home. But the music coming from the Susan Rancourt Trio at the new downtown farmers market kept drawing him in to the sounds and smells of the event.

After requesting his song, Abrams decided to stay a little longer. He left saying the music at the market created an alluring oasis in the downtown area he had never experienced before.

"This is a moment I'll remember for the rest of my life," he said. "This is what's supposed to be happening."

The city's downtown farmers market opened with a bang Wednesday to an enthusiastic crowd.

The air was muggy, but more than 2,000 folks descended on Parrott Street to take part in the freshness and liveliness of the inaugural event.

Vendors sold everything from seafood, nuts, fruits and vegetables to flowers, kettle corn, curries and pasta. A chef showed a small crowd how to make asparagus pesto and salad. And a balloon-making booth captivated children throughout the night with intricate Elmo-, pink poodle- and frog-inspired designs.

It was all part of an effort to revitalize the downtown area,

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which has badly suffered over the years from a lack of vibrancy after sundown.

"It was really positive," said Carle Brinkman, market manager for the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, the group contracted by the city to run the weekly market. "Dozens of people were coming up to me saying, 'Thank you, thank you so much for being here,' or 'I can't go to the other farmers market, so this is a blessing.'"‰"

Since the downtown market is just starting out, Brinkman said she will continue to gauge the public's response to the mix of products offered each week. Depending on the input, she said, vendors could be rotated. And each week, she said, the market will feature new family-oriented activities.

Whatever is put there in the coming months, many said, will be much better than what has been there before.

Johanne Dictor of the neighborhood group Concerned Citizens for Responsible Development in the City of San Leandro, was ecstatic about the market. She walked around with her bicycle's basket fully stocked with fresh produce — and a big grin on her face.

"It's like a new San Leandro, energized," she said. "I think this is just great. And the response from people has been, 'I'm so happy this is here, finally we're getting (our downtown) back.'"

The downtown farmers market will operate from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays through Oct. 22. For more information, call 510-577-3311 or visit www.ci.san-leandro.ca.us/slbusdevdowntown.html.

Martin Ricard can be reached at 510-293-2480 or mricard@bayareanewsgroup.com.