While many families are budgeting, some are scared in what's been called a financial crisis.
But they're still putting a few dollars aside to decorate for the real gloomy time: Halloween. News 25's Michelle Mantel took a trip to the Pumpkin Capitol as families are looking ahead, instead of worrying about the past.

It's a hard choice for some.

"How about this one?", said , looking for a pumpkin to take home.

Between the big medium and small...

When 7 year old AnaBel Dawson...(((Kid Bumpy sound)))

Families take their time to pick out just the right Pumpkin for their fall decorations, regardless of what is happening on Wall Street.

Jay Dawson, a customer at Ackerman Farms said "I think obviously the week we had last week, everybody would like to put that behind them with everything that's happened with the economy and everybody's all stressed out about it and sometimes it's east to forget what's important."

Dawson says what is important is family. He brings his family to Ackerman Farms for several years.

"No matter what's going on you have to decorate for Halloween. You have to carve a pumpkin and help the kids do that", added Dawson.

"I have a favorite pumpkin...the bumpy one!', said Jay's daughter AnaBel Dawson.

The owner of Ackerman Farms says this is probably the best pumpkin crop he's had. He says he's excited, not only for his business, but for families who are able to pick out pumpkins of all different shapes and sizes.

John Ackerman said, "We've got about every pumpkin under the sun all the way down from the smallest one that will fit in your hand to the biggest ones you can barely pick up."

Not a concern for kids pulling their soon to be jack–o–lanterns or for the families scanning the site.
For some, this is a time for families to bond, pick up pumpkins, and try to forget about the economic woes.

"I know people are tightening their budgets in this type of economic environment but if you spend a day here it's not like you're going to spend a great deal of money but you do get to spend quality time with your children", said Ackerman.

Quality time that brings memories many don't want to put a price on.

(bunny and girl)

Ackerman farms has been a family farm for close to 100 years.
The farm is in the Pumpkin Capitol...and also features a petting zoo and hay rides.
A fun fact here, the pumpkins that are not sold are reused for fertilizer in the fields.