There will be some security changes to Saratoga Springs Chowderfest this year.

Chowderfest draws tens of thousands of people to Saratoga Springs on the Saturday before Super Bowl each year. They fill the streets outside restaurants and bars. People walk from place to place to sample 4-ounce cups of chowder.

In light of the tragedy in New Orleans on Bourbon Street where 14 people were run down by a pickup truck, organizers here are working with law enforcement to improve security at Chowderfest in Saratoga Springs. They’ve decided for the first time to shut down a significant portion of Broadway. It will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Attendees will still be able to walk safely up and down that section of the street.

Saratoga Springs Public Safety Commissioner Tim Coll, who retired from the FBI, said it’s all about reducing the so-called soft targets.

“We’re doing everything we can to make to make the event as enjoyable as possible,” he said. “We did have close to 40,000 people there last year, so we don’t want to certainly frighten anyone. We want people to come downtown and to enjoy our great city and to know that we’re doing everything we can to keep them safe.”

Chowderfest is Saturday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.