Many businesses and festivals across Loudoun are ready for attendees to show up and celebrate the start of fall. Be it a family fun or creepy affairs, the county has a lot to offer Ashburn residents.
Middleburg Film Festival
Just 30 minutes away from the Dulles International Airport, the Middleburg Film Festival is back for their 13th year. From Oct. 16-19, this festival will showcase notable upcoming films such as “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery,” “Frankenstein,” and “Eternity.” In addition to the buzzworthy movies that will be shown, A-list celebrities, namely Elizabeth Olsen and Jon Chu, are scheduled to make an appearance to speak during the Q&A’s and collaborative conversations happening after specific film showings.
Ticket options span from $20 to $2,500, and attendees can choose if they would like to attend one screening or have a whole VIP experience, which includes a film breakfast, reserved seating, and exclusive lounge access. This is a can’t-miss event for film buffs and casual movie goers alike.
More information about the festival can be found at middleburgfilm.org.
Fields of Fear – Cox Farms
For some spooky scares, Fields of Fear is the perfect place to experience various chilling frights. Located at Cox Farms in Centreville, the fields offer four uncanny themes that are sure to knock patrons’ socks off: The Firegrounds, Dark Side Hayride, The Forest: Back 40, and Cornightmare.
The Firegrounds is a less intense attraction in the fields. Consisting of a blazing fire pit, karaoke madness, and a dance floor, this area is designated as the more kid-friendly attraction. Dark Side Hayride is threaded with spooky scares all throughout its course, whether its a zombie attack or flying bats. In the farm’s forest, The Forest: Back 40 forces participants to walk a half mile through the woods where they may run into crawling spiders, chainsaws, and pretty much anything that will give them the classic scream. Finally, The Cornightmare is a cult classic when it comes to scares. Attendees get to run or walk–whatever seems appropriate–and try to escape the maze through plot twists and jump scares from all angles
With many participants expected to make an entrance, tickets are limited and only available for Fridays and Saturdays through October and are sold exclusively online. Just to be safe, set aside $40 to enjoy those thrilling jitters. Be sure to make an appearance before their last scare on Nov. 8, if you dare.
Great Country Farms
For families with young children in Loudoun County, Great Country Farms is the number one fall event. Offering an assortment of kid friendly activities like corn mazes, pumpkin picking, pumpkin cannon events, and piglet races, Great Country Farms is sure to create lasting family memories for the young and young at heart.
For kids who don’t like more intense action and wild adventures, families can arrive for a taste of apple cider donuts or roasted marshmallows, satisfying each child’s taste buds with sweet and gooey goodness!
Tickets are $12 for children and $14 for adults when bought online. But at the box office, the tickets are $16 for all ages.
Leesburg Fall Parade
Just a few steps away from Stone Bridge, Leesburg will be hosting the 69th annual Leesburg Kiwanis Halloween Parade on October 30 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. The route begins at Ida Lee Park and concludes on King Street. Throughout the parade, candy will be thrown for the ones with a sugar tooth. The school’s Marching Bulldog Band will be performing along the parade route, and viewers will surely celebrate the local emergency responders who consistently make an appearance. While parade admission is free, attendees are required to register online by Oct. 24.
Whether on the big screen or in person, Loudoun County has a lot to view this season for all autumn lover.
