Halloween is a time for candy and costumes. It’s a time for trick-or-treating with friends and parents. For little kids, it means staying up late and eating too much candy, but for teenagers and young adults, it means parties and haunted houses. What makes these haunted houses and trails so popular? Do people enjoy the fear? Or is it simply just a chance to hang out with friends?

In Virginia, there are dozens of haunted houses. Each one has different scares and layouts. For many people, haunted houses are terrifying, so why do so many people go? For some loyal friends, it’s a chance to hang out with their BFFs. For others, it’s simply fun.The racing heart, shaking, heavy breathing, and stuttering is enjoyable for them.

For example, Fields of Fear is a very popular Halloween destination, but there are so many creepy aspects to it. The butcher strokes your face, people grab at your ankles, but everyone seems to love it. For Grace Wright, Fields of Fear is a part of the Halloween season. “I liked it because I love scary movies. It’s also a lot of fun to go with friends. Tall people provide sufficient protection,” and she further says, “I would recommend it to anyone who is not saving their voice for anything.” Grace screams at anything slightly scary and enjoys the fake fear, which is probably why she likes Field of Fears.

People enjoy the safety of being able to feel afraid without the danger of actually being in a threatening situation. They enjoy the adrenaline rush, and companies play off of that as a way to make money. The more fear factors there are, the more money they are able to make. People enjoy haunted houses and trails because they get to hang out with friends and they enjoy the fear.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Photo Courtesy to Grace Wright