Within the first two hours, more than 6,000 people had found their way to what is now known as Festival in the Riverfront Park.

The 31st annual daylong affair was from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday under and around Union Station Train Shed and riverside amphitheater.

And people were everywhere. Organizers said more than 15,000 had walked through the gates by the end of the day.

They spent the day looking at and buying arts and crafts, indulging in fudge and other goodies, watching performances and having a fun time downtown.

"It has been great," said Kay McCreery, program coordinator for the Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department. "There are always a few glitches when you make a major change, but we'll work on these, and it will be even better next year."

About 1 p.m., Jacquelyne and Zipporah Gunn were enjoying a stroll through the Train Shed while their 3-year-old brother, Kendarious Hall, devoured cotton candy.

The sisters said they used to go to the festival when it was in Oak Park, but thought the new spot was just as good.

"It's got a nice view of the river and has been fun," Jacquelyne Gunn said. "We got some cotton candy, heard a band, watched tap dancers, and he (Kendarious) talked to some of the characters and gave them hugs. It has been really nice."

As the Gunns walked back toward the children's area, which was set up along the Train Shed and the city's original amphitheater, one of many, many trains passed by.

Looking at the crowd as he passed, a Union Pacific conductor tooted his horn, startling hundreds of festivalgoers. Since the festival's new home is just a couple of feet from the tracks, loud horns and momentary screeching sounds that are almost unbearable come with the territory.

But the crowd didn't seem to mind much. Many of them just kept shopping.

Montgomery artist Teresa Nadeau said she had more lookers than shoppers. That was a bit disappointing. Otherwise, she was pleased with this year's festival.

"I liked the feeling of the festival in Oak Park, but for me, personally, with a handicap, this location is much better," said Nadeau, who specializes in color drawings of birds and other winged beings.

In front of Union Station, where it seemed a good 10 degrees hotter than under the Train Shed, The Woodchucks owner, Vanessa Head Sanders of Tallassee, and her daughter, Hillary Brooks of Millbrook, were having a pretty good day. Their painted wood frogs, pumpkins and other decorative items were selling well.

"We were at Festival in the Park for about 10 years. And at first, I didn't like it here. But things got better, and I like it now. It has been pretty good," she said.

Eric and Regina Patterson and their little ones, 3-year-old Regan and 1-year-old Reginald, were having a great time. Leaving the children's activities and stage area at Riverfront Park, the Pattersons pushed the strollers through the tunnel.

"It has been really nice. I like that it is more spread out," Eric Patterson said. "I think it's better here."

McCreery said judging by vendors' reactions, this year's festival was a success.