KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The October First Friday in the Crossroads Arts District featured several changes to help cut down on crowded streets after 25-year-old Erin Langhofer was fatally shot during the popular event in August as she waited at a food truck.
Those food trucks, once the heart of the event, were parked this month by the Kansas City Power and Light substation at 18th and Cherry streets.
Art vendors, who were once on sidewalks, now set up in alleyways.
One of those vendors, Kaila Wist, said she usually shows up to the First Friday events hours before the crowds.
"Just because it is very competitive," said Wist, who owns Souvenirs By Sully. "So it's kind of a first-come, first-serve.”
Organizers anticipate the new "art alleys" concept, located between Baltimore Avenue and Wyandotte Street from 18th Street to Southwest Boulevard, will help with congestion on streets and sidewalks.
"So this is kind of a way for us to separate those crowds and make it easier for us to have security better," said Jeff Owens, vice president of the Crossroads Community Association and chairman of First Friday.
Wist is unsure how the move will impact herself and other vendors.
"I really was worried that business was going to take a fall,” Wist said. “I actually made my own website because of that. I personally am cutting a lot of people deals just to kind of get stuff back out there.”
Alex Craig, another vendor, said it was his second year to set up shop at First Friday.
"It's really cool. You get to talk to people from around the community, and I get to show off all my stuff that I make and hopefully make a few bucks," the local artist said.
He hopes the new concept can help prevent another tragedy.
"It's horrible, you know, we all got to stay strong. Leave your guns at home,” Craig said. “It's an art show, man. Everyone is coming out to have fun.”
While First Friday is a year-round event, October was the last one to take place outdoors until spring.
