A five-day strike at Mount Nittany Medical Center that began Friday continued yesterday with no new negotiations taking place.

Despite the increased number of people in State College for the 38th Annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, hospital spokeswoman Maureen Karstetter said the weekend went off without a hitch.

"We did have some alcohol-related visits over the weekend, but that's normal," Karstetter said.

Karstetter said there were about 120 people treated during the Arts Festival weekend, which is low for an event weekend.

The medical center is running efficiently with fill-in staff as the patient load has been condensed to just a few units, Karstetter said. The medical center is not scheduling elective surgeries, but obstetric and emergency care are continuing as normal.

The atmosphere among striking hospital employees and their supporters was festive yesterday afternoon.

"We've got to keep morale going halfway through," said Scott Young, president of the medical center's chapter of the Service Employees International Union 1199 (SEIU).

More than 60 employees and their family members enjoyed the weather and a barbecue under donated tents -- complete with lawn chairs -- at the top of Hospital Drive.

"We want our families to know what's going on," said Clara Rimmey, a registered nurse. "We want to keep our families around, and they're free on weekends to spend time with us."

The strike began Friday morning, after failed contract negotiations between the hospital and the union, which represents 450 nurses, technologists and maintenance workers at the hospital.

The picket line will remain visible 24 hours a day because of four-hour shifts created by the striking staff until the end of the strike at 7 a.m. Wednesday. Most stay for more than the four hours, Young said, because the staff is used to working long shifts.

There have been about 300 people picketing during each 24-hour period, Young said.

Despite the seemingly festive atmosphere, the strikers have made it difficult for anyone to forget why they have camped out on the top of Hospital Drive.

Some have donned signs stating "We deserve affordable healthcare too" and "Healthcare for healthcare workers" around their necks, while others have formed a line facing Park Avenue, cheering as cars drive by honking their support for the hospital employees.

Michelle Book, an administrative organizer for SEIU 1199, said the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations, the statewide federation of all unions, has donated a bus for as long as it is needed.

The big blue bus, parked on the shoulder of Hospital Drive, constantly plays music of all kinds, provides a backdrop for the sporadic chanting of the picket line.

Julie Walker, a licensed practical nurse of more than 30 years, said she doesn't mind the heat or the hours.

"These are our people," Walker said. "We have to stick together."

Despite claims from some picketers that union members have been turned away from their shifts, Karstetter said some of the union members have indeed crossed the picket line and continue to work at the medical center.

"If any individual is interested in working, we let them," Karstetter said.

The State College Police Department will not be present unless officers are called, Cpl. Mark Argiro said.

"We are aware of the situation," he said. "We don't anticipate any problems."