Halloween in State College means more than just costumes, parties and trick-or-treating.

It also means weeks of preparation by local businesses and some student groups.

Spirit Halloween Superstore, 2121 S. Atherton St., is located beyond the downtown area but still draws many students from both Penn State and State College High School, manager Jen Bartley said. "A couple days ago, we were so busy that we sold out of a lot of things," she said, adding that last week had been the busiest week the store had experienced since it opened Sept. 9.

This year, fairies have been among the most popular costumes at the store, with ninjas being the surprise under-seller. "It's a sad day for the ninjas this Halloween," employee Bea Tipler said.

Isabella's Hallmark, 114 E. College Ave., is another store that has been getting State College into the Halloween mode. Manager Erica Earnest said the store has had Halloween merchandise on display for about a month and a half, but sales have really picked up in the last week and a half. She said that most of the Halloween customers have been students and some Penn State employees looking to decorate their offices.

Hallmark's biggest Halloween seller this year has been its decorative Halloween-colored lights, Earnest said.

One of the items most associated with Halloween are pumpkins, and students have found a good source for them at State College's farmers' market, located on Locust Lane between East College and Beaver avenues. Many different vendors come from out of town to set up stands at the outdoor sale held on Friday afternoons.

Samuel Stoltzfus, who works for Mountainside Bakery based in Rebersburg, said that everything Mountainside sells in State College has been grown on their farm. Inventory at the farmers' market includes pies, bread, tomatoes, potatoes and pumpkins. "They are mostly for decoration," Stoltzfus said. "Occasionally, we sell some to people who want to make pies."

Monica Firment (senior-public relations) said she enjoys shopping at the farmers' market.

"I just like the atmosphere, coming here every week," she said. "I think it's important to support people who grow their own vegetables."

Some student organizations have also gotten into the spirit and begun Halloween-oriented fundraisers. The Landscape Architecture Student Society sold hot cider, a traditional Halloween favorite, in front of Old State Clothing Co., 310 E. College Ave. Kyle Berseth (senior-landscape architecture) used a bullhorn Friday to entice passers-by to try some hot cider. "Say 'no' to Purdue, say 'yes' to hot cider," he announced to the crowd.

Berseth said the group relies on cider sales as its big fundraiser for the year. To avoid having to setup the post each day, the group remained open 24 hours a day, beginning Thursday at 4 p.m. until yesterday at 4 p.m. "We're hardcore; we love our apples," Berseth said.

The Agricultural Systems Management Club sold pumpkins for an annual fundraiser Wednesday through Friday, setting up shop at Shortlidge and Curtin roads. "We get them donated from a farm near Pittsburgh," said Jason Bixler (senior- agricultural systems management).