Daniel Sweat
Features Editor
Well, it’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing, it’s getting cold (or at least it’s supposed to be) and you’re anxiously counting down the days until Thanksgiving Break. That’s right, it’s fall. Over here at The Wooster Voice, we’ve spent all last week carefully curating a list of fun activities for you and your friends to try out this fall. Check ‘em out:
1) Roll around in the leaves. Come on, you know you want to. This autumn, embrace your inner squirrel and really get in there. Just mess around. If you’re feeling industrious, rake the leaves into a big ole pile and jump into it. Don’t jump from too high, though. I’ve found two stories is usually a safe height.
2) Pumpkins. You can eat ‘em, you can grind ‘em into a spice and drink ‘em, you can even carve them into spooky faces. Pumpkins really are the Swiss-Army knife of gourds. Speaking of knives, pick one up at your local hardware store and go to town on a nice, plump pumpkin. See if you can scare your friends with your grotesque Halloween creations. If you’re not artistically inclined, you can always gather ‘round with your friends and just admire the pumpkin’s sublime, uncarved beauty.
If you’re on the lookout for a pumpkin of your own, get some friends together and head on over to Ramseyer Farms. If you don’t have any friends, come copy-edit for the Voice; we’re friendly and we like pumpkins.
3) Adopt a turkey and raise it as your own. If you like dogs/cats/*insert name of your favorite animal here* then you’ll probably like turkeys, too. They are the most lovable of the flightless birds. Just make sure to hide your turkey from your RA.
4) Cedar Point. If you like anxiety, you’ll love Cedar Point’s “Halloweekends.” In addition to their regular plethora of rollercoasters, they also offer spooky mazes, a magic show, an all you can eat buffet and a smorgasbord of other high-quality spooks. Act fast, though; the promotion only lasts through Halloween.
5) Movies. Fire up the VCR and get ready for an all-night scare-athon. Particularly thematic titles include Young Frankenstein, Scooby Doo (not the live-action one though, that was a mistake) and The Hunt for Red October.
6) Embrace death. October is all about getting scared, and what’s scarier than coming to terms with your own inevitable demise? Invite some friends along, if you’re feeling adventurous/nihilistic.
7) Sleep outside. This one works quite well with number one. Simply rake a bunch of leaves into a vaguely rectangular shape and get ready for the most comfortable night of sleep you’ve ever had. Make sure to check the weather beforehand; you don’t want to get caught in a nasty rainstorm. For even more fun, challenge your friends to think up goofy names for constellations as you lie on you back and soak in the beauty of Mother Nature.
If you’re scared of the dark, just use the jack-o-lantern you carved as a night light.
8) Hay rides. Apparently this is a thing that actually exists. I’m a little doubtful though, as I’ve never seen photo evidence of it or talked to someone who has been on one. Prove me wrong! Go on a hayride and send a picture with #HeyDanielIWentOnAHayRideAndYesTheyDoActuallyExist. to DSweat19@wooster.edu.
9) Vote. Just for kicks, y’know?