Cox Farms a Year-Round Escape

Any Northern Virginian who hears the words ‘’ most likely thinks of the famed Cox Farms Fall Festival, complete with hayrides, a pumpkin patch, rope swings, giant slides and corn mazes. 

But this local, family-owned business provides fun for the whole family and a getaway from busy suburban life throughout the year.  

“My favorite thing about working at Cox Farms is the seasonality,” said Bob Richard, the marketing director. “We are a different business in the spring than we are in summer, fall, or at Christmas. We change with the seasons.”  

Cox Farms’ Centreville Corner Market opened for the spring season on March 31 and its onsite greenhouses are bursting with color. Bedding plants, pottery, soils and mulches, spring container gardens, and vegetable plants are on sale along with local eggs, honey, and jams. Local produce will be available during the summer.  

“Every day during spring we help dozens of local families with their gardening,” Richard said. “We offer ‘instant gardens’ and great flowering containers and hanging baskets. But we also show you how to plant the first vegetables with your kids, so that they learn tomatoes don’t grow in grocery stores.” 

“Our staff really know their stuff and they love to help,” he added.  

Cox Farms was opened in 1972 by Richard’s sister and brother-in-law. The farm was originally in Herndon, but relocated to Centreville in 1979.  

Richard noted that Cox Farms has many customers who have remained loyal for over 30 years. “Today we hire the children—and sometimes even the grandchildren—of people who worked with us many years ago,” he wrote in an email. “In the transient world of Northern Virginia, those kinds of family traditions are unusual.”  

The sprawling rural area that once surrounded Cox Farms may have been lost long ago to various housing developments, but that makes Cox Farms’ countryside atmosphere all the more inviting.  

Richard offered, “Now that suburbs have sprawled all around us, Cox Farms’ 116 acres are a welcome patch of undeveloped land in Fairfax County. Every day, our customers tell us that our place is a welcome refuge from subdivisions and strip malls.” 

Cox Farms Membership 

Locals who frequent Cox Farms should consider registering online as a Cox Farms Member. All members receive exclusive offers, including coupons, via email during each season. There is no charge to become a Cox Farms Member. 

Easter at Cox Farms

Next Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cox Farms’ Centreville Corner Market will host a number of family friendly activities including bunny games, spring farm animals, egg coloring, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and an .  

Egg hunts, designed for young children under the age of 4, will be held at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. at the cost of $4 per child. Registration is not required, but space is limited, so please arrive early. Special Fast Track pre-purchase tickets are available online for Cox Farms Members. The Northern Virginia Family Service will receive 100% of the profits from this year’s Egg Hunt.  

While admission is charged and space is limited for the Easter Egg Hunt, all other activities at the Easter at Cox Farms event are free and open to children of all ages. 

Make Your Mother’s Day 

On Saturday, May 7, the day before Mother’s Day, kids get to create a free flowering gift for Mom. Time TBA.