What could bring Harry Potter, Elsa, Batman and a plethora of minions, zombies and ghosts to Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall? The U.S. Army Caisson Platoon's second annual Haunted Hayrides and Stables, of course!
The two-day event transformed the platoon's stables on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base into "spook central" Oct. 30 and 31, providing Halloween fun for 1,623 attendees from all over the National Capital Region, according to organizers.
"As soon as we heard about it, we knew we'd be bringing the kids," said Army spouse Lauren Collins, whose children dressed as their favorite characters, Elsa and Batman, on Oct. 30.
"I like Batman because he's strong," explained 4-year-old Jack.
"Elsa is better," countered his 6-year-old sister, Emmie.
"They've been having this argument all day," laughed Lauren.
Caisson Platoon Soldiers and volunteers pulled out all the stops as they decorated the stables with festive pumpkins, hay, spider webs and other scary decorations. Even the horse stalls were "tricked out" for the event, with cutouts of pumpkins and ghosts adorning each of the doors.
The family-friendly event featured pumpkin decorating, face painting, food, costume contests and a hayride. Those who liked their Halloween a little more "chilling" could opt to take a tour of the rear portion of the barn, which featured such thrills as the walking dead and other scary monsters.
"It's a lot of fun," said Cpl. Jake Kausen, who enjoyed startling visitors in the scary portion of the stables. "I did it last year. It's a lot of fun to make the girls scream. It's even better when the guys scream."
Caisson volunteer event coordinator Carla Moss did more than just provide Halloween chills and thrills for attendees.
"The event was a huge success and was a wonderful, creative way to bring the entire NCR community together with a fun, family-themed event that everyone will remember and thoroughly enjoyed," she said.
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