Sleepy village in the USA blocks Instagram tourists

Every year, the unassuming village of Pomfret in Vermont, USA, becomes an attraction for influencers and photographers, attracted by the impressive autumn colors.

Pomfret, a small village in the US state of Vermont, becomes a sea of ​​color in autumn. The maple trees shine in bright reds and oranges and create a picturesque backdrop that looks like something out of a picture book. Photographers and influencers are particularly taken with the “Sleepy Hollow Farm”, embedded in this autumnal splendor. The farm, which was once owned by Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, is located on private property and has become one of the most popular photo motifs in the state thanks to viral images on social media.

Rude and inconsiderate: Pomfret residents are fed up with tourists

The “Sleepy Hollow Farm” is a popular attraction for influencers in autumn. © Depositphotos/Imago

But with the influx of influencers and tourists came problems. Lines of cars blocked the narrow streets, people climbed over fences and ignored “no trespassing” signs. Local residents reported pollution and disrespectful behavior – for example, visitors simply left their garbage on the side of the road. Some even set up changing rooms so they could change into their various costumes for the perfect Instagram snap. “It’s a beautiful place. It’s a shame it’s been ruined for everyone,” Deborah Goodwin, exhibition coordinator at the Artistree Community Arts Center in Pomfret, told the broadcaster. BBC last year. Tour buses simply dumped hordes of people in the village. Everything was “out of control”.

To control the chaos, the police temporarily turned the road along Sleepy Hollow Farm into a one-way street in the fall of 2022. But that didn’t stop the tourists. Local residents then resorted to crowdfunding to raise the necessary funds for a temporary road closure and new signage. About the platform GoFundMe More than 22,000 US dollars were raised. The ad is still online today.

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In the fall of 2023, the local government decided to close the two roads leading to the popular Sleepy Hollow Farm for three weeks. This measure was largely received positively by residents. “We are happy to have tourists here, it is a big part of Vermont’s economy, and we want people to enjoy the beauty of nature, visit the merchants and shops, and drive around,” Windsor County Sheriff Ryan Palmer told the BBCThe most important thing, however, is to “have respect for people’s homes and property.”

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