History

History

The story of how our family started Cox Farms and how it grew to be what it is today.

The Cox Farms Story

1970
1970

A Friendship Started

A Friendship Started

Eric Cox and Gina Richard met in Calculus class at Herndon High School.

1972
1972

Cox Farms Founded

Cox Farms Founded

Eric and Steven Cox found Cox Farms on 40 acres near Herndon, Virginia.

1975
1975

Partnership

Partnership

Eric’s wife, Gina Richard, becomes a partner in the business.

1979
1979

Risky Purchase

Risky Purchase

Eric and Gina purchase 116 acres on Braddock Road, west of Centreville, in the far western corner of Fairfax County, despite being told by bankers and advisors, “Nobody will ever travel that far out.”

1979

A New Arrival

Eric and Gina have their first child and move from Vienna to their new farm in Centreville.

1979

First Hayride

First Hayride

Eric arranges the first hayride for a group to pick pumpkins.

1985
1985

First Fall Festival

First Fall Festival

The Fall Festival is born on a single weekend. (Gina and Eric now have a preschooler, a toddler, and infant!)

1990
1990

First Rope Swing

First Rope Swing

The first rope swing is built!

1993
1993

First Slides!

First Slides!

Cox Mountain slide opens; the first one!

1994
1994

More Rope Swings

More Rope Swings

Second rope swing is added.

 

 

Today

Cox Farms continues to develop new seasonal events and keep the Cox Farms family business at the heart of the community we’ve served for more than 45 years.

The next generation of the Cox‐Richard clan (Lily, Aaron and Lucas) grew up on the farm, and today, Aaron and Lucas are official Co‐Farmers in Chief at Cox Farms. Their parents, Eric and Gina, are semi‐retired but still able to make their opinions known in that special way parents do.

Lucas and Aaron worked closely with Eric and Gina throughout their earlier farmhand years, and that closeness remains. Lucas oversees daily operations ensuring everything with greenhouse production and festival grounds infrastructure is in top shape, while Aaron oversees Cox Farms’ staff and a wide range of events and programs.

Cox Farms Events

Interested in attending one of our many exciting events? Want to know when your favorite group is scheduled to perform? Check out our updated Events Calendar so you can start planning your Cox Farms itinerary!

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