Pomfret is a village like all the ones you've seen in films and series. It is a calm place, located in the state of Vermont, in the United States, whose bucolic atmosphere is the type that conveys peace, serenity and tranquility. If it weren't for one detail: the invasion of influencers fall.
Every time this season arrives, the small town of 900 inhabitants becomes a very suitable place for “leaf watchers”. The color of the tree canopy starts from bright green and changes tone until it reaches a yellowish color typical of this time of year.
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This started to happen, mainly, after the Sleepy Hollow farm went viral on social media. Since then, what was supposed to be a peaceful refuge has become a true nightmare.
According to a text published by the BBC, the inconvenience begins before they reach their destination. A car with Florida license plates (USA) stopped abruptly on a highway, blocking both lanes. All this to take a photo.
According to Deborah Goodwin, exhibition coordinator at the Artistree Community Arts Center in Pomfret, the village “is a beautiful place, but it’s a shame that it’s been ruined for everyone.”
It is worth remembering that the Sleepy Hollow farm is private property. And, recalled Deborah, there are many influencers who jump the gate, ignoring the “No Trespassing” signs that are there.
She also said that they are not just one or two photos: they are entire photo sessions, complete with costume changes.
“Residents went to the local government and said, ‘We can’t allow this anymore,’” she said.
To try to stop the influencers, Pomfret City Hall transformed – temporarily – the road that passes through Sleepy Hollow into a one-way street. However, it wasn't enough for them to behave properly.
So, for 2023, the residents opened crowdfunding to do something more drastic.
Through the GoFundMe platform, residents raised around US$16,000 through 103 donations. In the description, it is said that the influencers “damaged roads, suffered accidents, required towing out of ditches, trampled gardens, defecated on private properties and verbally attacked residents.”
The result was successful and municipal authorities closed the roads leading to Sleepy Hollow for a set period of time only to non-residents.
Graduated in Social Communication from the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.