Fields of Fear and Other Fun: Cox Farms Prepares for Preview Weekend

A sure sign that autumn is here isn't the end of hot weather but the beginning of the Cox Farms Fall Festival. 

The Fall Festival begins on Sept. 28 and is open daily until Nov. 5, but folks can get a sneak peak of the fun to come at the Centreville farm's preview weekend this Saturday and Sunday.  Admission is $14, a little less than the $17 admission price during the "prime" weekends in mid-October.  

 "For Cox Farms, hosting friends and families in Northern Virginia every fall is more than a tradition—it’s a passion. We truly do wait all year, and now it’s almost here," staff said in a release. 

The 144-foot long Dino Slide in the children's playground received a complete makeover and is now faster than ever, Cox Farms staff members said. 

An antique fire truck has been converted to a slide and added to the playground.  

There's also a new tickets building in the front of the farm. 

"Fields of Fear" is scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays during the fall festival.  Activities include a half-mile haunted Cornightmare trail, Darkside Hayride: Zombie Zoo and a Firegrounds hangout with giant torchlit slide, bonfires, food and games. 

Admission Costs and Special Deals 

In addition to preview weekend, discounted tickets will be available for opening weekend (Sept. 28-29) Halloween, (Oct. 26-27) and Pumpkin Madness (Nov. 2-3). 

Weekdays are $9 per person. 

“The hope is that folks looking to save a few dollars will opt to come on our regular weekends, when the crowds are smaller and admission is lower,” says Co-Farmer-in-Chief Lucas Cox. 

Public service discounts will be available on opening weekend and Pumpkin Madness weekend at the farm.  A $5 discount is available to any government employee, educator, first responder, law enforcement officer, nurse or military personnel. 

Cox Farms members and Fear Fanatics receive additional discounts and offers. Sign-up is available through the website as is additional information about  the programs. 

View pictures from Fall Festival 2012. 

Fall at the Farm: Cox Farms Preps for Festival