Sandy McQueen comes for the peppers and stays for the music.

"I like the vegetables, but I also like the atmosphere," she said as she looked over the produce at the Skyline Ranch stand.

McQueen was in downtown Bismarck for the Urban Harvest market, which kicked off its second year Thursday afternoon. The market, an open-air gathering of vendors and performers, included food, arts and crafts, a massage service, and tie-dye shirts and such. A makeshift stage hosts a variety of performers. It will run every Thursday through Aug. 31.

Denise Bares was there with friends during their lunch hour, eating chicken pitas from the East 40 Chophouse stand.

"We had lunch plans today, so I said let's meet at the market," she said.

Despite highs in the 80s, a stiff breeze and adequate shade kept the women comfortable.

"I think it's great for bringing people downtown," Bares said of the market.

That's just what the event's organizers want to do.

"The idea was to make downtown a destination again," said Tracy Wanek, a co-founder of Urban Harvest.

Wanek and several friends wanted to encourage local business, add something interesting to the goings-on in Bismarck, and showcase the things and people that make the city unique. Some of them had experience with markets in Missoula, Mont., and elsewhere, and thought it would work well in Bismarck. Wanek was pleased with the turnout on Thursday.

"The fun thing is it's all different ages - kids, adults, older people. It's a really great mix," she said.

Urban Harvest is comprised of volunteers. The group hopes to provide the framework for the market, but let it take on a life of its own, she said. Already, it has grown. This year's first market had about the same number of booths as there were at the end of last year's run, and more performers are lined up.

"There's been a lot of interest and a lot of people wanting to help," Wanek said.