In 2023, Americans spent around $7 billion on celebrating Halloween and the fall spirit.
One popular annual family outing, farms, produced over 1.2 billion pounds of pumpkins last year.
Before Halloween, Gabriel Homes enjoyed a trip to Cox Farms in Centreville.
The day started with a comfortable hayride through the farm. Riders saw vast cornfields and visuals like spaceships and castles. Some actors came out as aliens when riders passed the ship.
Residents were on their feet after the ride, only to sit back down for the Dino Slide. The slide was a steep 142-foot drop from top to bottom. Sliders cushioned their descent with potato sacks, which added to the farm’s senses of touch and smell. Fake grass at the bottom of the ride helped sliders finish their drops safely.
“I was shocked at how high the slide was and how fast you fly down it. The slide was fun but also a little scary. I think the residents were braver than me!”
Darcy, one resident at Gabriel Homes, was drawn toward a styrofoam version of Stonehenge known as “Foamhenge,” which was recreated by a Virginia artist.
When Darcy was younger, she visited the English spectacle with her mom. Foamhenge, on the other hand, is about 100 pounds compared to the
25-ton original.
Animal Friends at Cox Farms
Everyone then made their way toward the petting zoo. Guests often can pet the animals through fences, but the goats roamed openly at Cox Farms! The goats were especially drawn toward Patrick (right), another resident, who was excited to pet them.
The goats weren’t the only farm friends at Cox Farms: The barn introduced guests to baby animals. The two-day-old piglets were undoubtedly the standouts of the barn; the tiniest piglet won Gabriel Homes’ hearts.
Before leaving the farm, everyone took a free pumpkin for themselves. The exit also had a market where residents indulged in a fall favorite treat, apple cider doughnuts. On the ride home, residents were buzzing about the day and left Cox Farms with memories and laughter.