Photo by Doug Koontz One of several gnomes that appeared Thursday morning in downtown Frederick sits on the sidewalk just off South Market Street. For more on the mysterious appearance of the gnomes, check out Thursday's FNP@3

At least eight garden gnomes mysteriously appeared in front of several businesses near Carroll Creek and Market Street on Thursday morning.

"It's bizarre," said Eric Krasner, owner of CineGraphic Studios, where one gnome showed up.

Krasner was driving to work on Market Street when he saw two women taking pictures of themselves with two gnomes on the pedestals of a bridge over the creek. He thought they had brought them from home but noticed the gnomes remained after the women left.

When Krasner got to his store, he noticed a gnome in front of his business and one underneath "The Awakening" mural by artist Bill Cochran.

"Somebody's having fun," he said.

Sgt. Michael Klingensmith of the Frederick Police Department said his patrol squad had not received any reports for stolen gnomes.

Shuan Butcher, executive director of the Frederick Arts Council, said he was unaware of any art projects involving gnomes.

A popular prank that involves stealing garden gnomes and photographing them in locations around the world has been going on for years.

Shannon Flanagan, a waitress at Griff's Landing, said she placed a business sign outside and did not even notice a gnome was there.

"It's kinda freaky," she said.

The only objects that had ever been left in front of the business before were beer bottles, she said.

Michelle Swanson, a hostess at La Paz, said she saw a gnome in front of the restaurant but had no idea there were at least seven others in the area.

When Joanna Button finished her bartending shift at The Canal Bar and Grill about 4 a.m., the gnome was not there. When she returned around 10:30 a.m., she found it outside.

"I thought it was funny," she said.