Northern Virginia's Newest Fall Festival: Whitehall Farms in Clifton, VA

by Micaela Williamson

Whitehall Farms in Clifton, VA is Fairfax County's latest spot for agritourism, and is hosting Fall Fun Days on Saturdays and Sundays through the end of October.  The farm has been in the Vazquez family since the 1960s and is filled with scenic pastures, beautiful woodlands, streams, and animals.  Admission to the Fall Fun Days includes a large non-GMO corn maze, moonbounces for the kids, visits with farm animals (pigs, chickens, and cows,) a round-trip hayride through the woods to the farm market, cornhole and more. There are additional fees for face painting, food, feeding the farm's darling cow, Henry and picking your own pumpkin from the field (65 cents per pound.)

We were impressed by the knowledgeable farm staff, always available and eager to teach both the adults and the kids about environmentally friendly farming practices and answer questions about the farm and animals. We found the hayride through the woods serene and pleasant, with the trees as the backdrop, not tacky decorations. The overall atmosphere is more low key than some of the region's mega festivals, but here it is about visiting a working farm, interacting with the animals, learning something new, having fun and of course, picking your very own perfect pumpkin right of the vine.  Here are our pictures from our visit:

Aerial View of Corn Maze, courtesy of Whitehall Farms, LLC

Tips for Visitors:

• The corn maze is not stroller friendly and takes about 20 minutes to complete. If you get lost (like we did,) you can raise your flag and a high school student will come help you find your way out.
• There are food trucks selling food during the Fall Fun Days, but the farm also encourages families to bring their own picnics. There are plenty of shaded picnic tables to enjoy a snack or a meal.
  
• Restrooms are port-a-potties, but there are plenty.
• Although you can get off the hayride and visit the farm market, if you are heading back to the farm, it makes sense to drive to the market before heading home. This way, no food spoils.  When exiting the farm, turn left on Colchester Road and left on Popes Head Road to visit the farm market. It is a great place to stock up on local produce, farm fresh eggs, meat, dairy products, honey and homemade goods. The market is all enclosed, temperature controlled and also open during the week. 
  
• For those looking for a whole day out, it easy to get to the town of Clifton as a fun stop before or after the farm.
  
• School groups and scouts are welcome.  Contact the farm at info@whitehall.farm for more information. The farm staff loves to provide educational agritourism opportunities for visitors.
  

There is a lot more information on the Whitehall Farms website, please visit:

Whitehall Farms, LLC
12523 Popes Head Rd.
Clifton, VA 20124
703-968-3900
https://www.whitehall.farm/home.html