By Bailey Lucero-Carter
The first day of autumn is Sept. 23 and several nearby farms are celebrating the new season with fall festivals. These festivals offer great fall foods and attractions for the family. Check this list for farms with fall festivals opening soon.
Al-Mara Dairy Farm opens up the 2014 season with plenty of autumn amusements. The biggest attraction is the Great American Milk Drive corn maze, which is new this year and consists of three mazes. Three different difficulty levels spread the fun across all ages. Festivities also include taking a hayride around the farm, meeting and greeting a cow, learning how to make butter, and more. / Sept. 19 – Nov. 1, Fridays 6 – 9 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.; 5225 Catlett Road, Midland; Tickets $9.
Wayside Farm features a variety of fun fall activities. Wander through a 10-acre corn maze, where larger than life Lego superheroes, like Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman stand tall, or cheer along as the special racing pigs run through water and terrain all the way home. Kids can also enjoy farm animals, a pumpkin playhouse and more this weekend. / Sept. 20 – Nov. 2, Saturdays & Sundays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 5273 Harry Byrd Highway, Berryville; Tickets $10.
Children ages 4 through 10 will delight in the many attractions at Clark’s Farm. Climb to the top of a hay bale mountain, zigzag through a wooden maze, play some pumpkin bowling, and do even more at this year’s festival. Pony rides are also offered on weekends, and a pumpkin is included with each admission. / Sept. 20 – Nov. 2 , 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Daily; 721 Courthouse Road (Rt. 630), Stafford; Tickets $7 on weekdays, $9 on weekends/holidays.
Join the festival fun a week early during Cox Farms’ Preview Weekend. This weekend event features Fall Festival attractions, including giant slides, swings, animals, games and plenty of pumpkins. The first hayride of 2014 also begins this weekend, so be there to catch a ride. After Preview Weekend, Cox Farms’ Fall Festival begins on Sept. 27. / Sept. 20–21, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; 15621 Braddock Road, Centreville; Tickets $14.
