In the winter wonderland that is State College, students and downtown businesses alike plowed through the heaviest snowstorm to blanket the Northeast since 1996 with a sense of wonder and aplomb.

"It's the best day of the year," Taylor Traversari (senior-marketing) said. "Nothing to do but frollick in the snow."

The snowfall of 14 inches cancelled yesterday's classes and slowed things down significantly since Sunday morning, but it did not stop the locals from getting out and enjoying a festive atmosphere.

Rather than staying indoors, crowds formed in open, snow-covered areas including the HUB-Robeson Center and Old Main lawns, the Bryce Jordan Center hillside and downtown sidewalks.

"People are just having fun. It's a good atmosphere," Jon Benson (senior-psychology) said. "Nobody's doing anything but trying to have some fun."

While some downtown businesses closed, Megan Manning (senior-English), an employee of Mio Zio, 132 W. College Ave., said business was good yesterday, despite the conditions.

"Its been kind of busy," Manning said. "Its not normal, but it's alright."

Manning said the mood of customers was good even with the heavy snowfall.

"They have a day off," she said.

Not all businesses were lively, though, as stores such as Uni-Mart, 200 E.College Ave, saw little traffic.

"It sucks," store employee Scott Binsfeld (senior-commercial recreation management) said about the weather. He added, however, the store "never closes down."

The lawn of Old Main was covered and dozens played snow football and threw Frisbees. Others, like Traversari and Benson, slid and jumped off 8-foot mounds of plowed powder onto College Avenue while occasional traffic eased by.

Mel Wirtz, a CATA bus driver, said the Waupelani route was covered, but passable, as buses were running again after stopping for about three hours in the late morning.

Wirtz said Ferguson Township was doing a better job of plowing than State College Borough, which was more worried about clearing parking lots than city streets, he said.

"I think they have their priorities a little screwed up, but that's just my thoughts," Wirtz said.

Mike Ripka came to work at 5 a.m. yesterday to begin plowing the sidewalks and trails along east campus.

"It's slow, but there's a lot of snow to move," Ripka said. "We're lucky it's not a wet snow."

Ripka said he will be back at work early today, but said the long hours aren't that bad.

"I always have fun. I'm getting paid for it," he said. "I'd rather be sitting in one of these [skidloaders] than be outside in it."

Ripka was one of 46 Penn State workers trying to clear the snow so the school could reopen at about 10 last night, but he said he was somewhat doubtful that would happen.

University spokesman Bill Mahon said school officials usually make their mind up as late as possible as to whether to cancel classes or not.

Mahon said the university is different from school districts because most students live on campus and need food and emergency services made available to them. He added that essential personnel are needed to keep the university's computer, cable and telephone services operating.

"Even though classes are cancelled, a lot of people remain working," Mahon said.