Each Friday afternoon, downtown State College transforms into a bustling marketplace, abuzz with friendly chatter, picturesque weather and the sweet smell of freshly picked apples.

Walking down the cramped street pathway, students can browse from any number of stands that offer items ranging from tomatoes and flowers to guinea pigs and peacock feathers. Welcome to State College's farmers' market.

Located on Locust Lane between College and Beaver avenues, the farmers' market has been a staple of downtown life for nearly 25 years.

Twenty-two vendors are organized and employed by the Central Pennsylvania Farmers Market Association, said Jonathan Cohen of Patchwork Farms.

"There are several vegetable stands, cut and dry flowers, bedding plants, fruits, fresh fish and baked goods," said Cohen. "You name it and it's pretty much here."

Business has been decidedly steady throughout the year, with a marked increase coming when Fall Semester started, Cohen said.

"Of course, football weekends are also very helpful," he said. "We tend to get a large amount of business during those weekends."

The majority of business comes courtesy of Penn State students, said John Mangan of Julian, Pa., who runs a popular flower stand.

"The students and the proximity to campus make the atmosphere great. They're supportive of not just our stand, but the entire market in general," Mangan said.

"I really enjoy working here," said Susan Eby of McNitt's Fruit Farm, who is in her 20th year working at the market. "We have regular student customers who we know by name, and they've been faithful for years."

Christina Synnott (junior-elementary education) has been one of those regulars at the downtown market since her freshman year.

"I come here every week," Synnott said. "I usually buy vegetables and fruits, but I like to look around the most."

Other students agreed the market's atmosphere is a drawing point.

"You can actually talk to the vendors, they're just so polite and nice," said Angelique Adams (graduate-fuel science).

Stacey Ward (sophomore-animal biology science) and Sandy Watson (junior-marketing) spent their lunch breaks searching for a bite to eat last Friday, while Andrew Porter (senior-integrative arts) was one of many buying the exotic peacock feathers.

"I'm decorating a spare bedroom, and I thought they looked really cool," Porter said.

Mangan believes the market has drawn the Penn State community together as a whole.

"We're always looking to find different ways to get the word out to more and more students," she said.

The market runs from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today and every Friday through the second week in November.