NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) -- With new security measures in place and no amusement rides, Harvest Homecoming booth days kicked off Thursday, packing the streets of downtown New Albany. 

New barricades and security cameras are set up around the festival area. Vendors and attendees who have gone to the annual fall festival for years said they're thankful for the updated security.

"I'm really not worried," Stefanie Lynch, owner of Bert's Kitchen, said. "We've talked to all the officials here. I know police presence is improved in numbers so I'm not worried at all."

The increased security is a result of a fatal shooting during last year's festival that took the life of Bryce Gerlach, 18, and injured two other people.

"I was actually here last year on Saturday night, so I understand how stressful that was, but I think people feel comfortable with the New Albany Police Department and others and the changes in the hours a bit, we thought were a good idea," Karen Goodwell, a volunteer at St. John's Presbyterian Church, said. 

Penny Clark and Sandy Brinley attend the festival each year, and said they're glad to see the increased security.

"We understand, but it's sad that it had to happen," said Clark. 

"But it's good that they're taking into consideration that they've got to keep everybody safe and that's comforting to know," Brinley said.

For local vendors, Harvest Homecoming brings in a lot of funding.

It serves as the only fundraiser for St. John's Presbyterian Church each year, so they rely on the community coming together.

"It's very important, it's a good percentage of our overall annual budget that we use for community missions, to maintain our building, pay our staff, our music ministry, just a wide range of things," said Goodwell.

Lynch also helps sell Bert's Kitchen's porkchop sandwiches, and said she feels the same way.

"I just hope it keeps booming, we need to sell these porkchops, it's not fun to go home with them in your freezer," she said. 

Also new this year, the festival is ending an hour earlier Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.

Thursday is opening day for vendor booths during the southern Indiana fall festival.

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