Due to pending government regulations, many haunted cornfields may soon consist solely of an FDA official reciting the nutritional dangers of high-fructose corn syrup. Enjoy a spooky cornfield before the feds ruin the fun with today's Groupon: for $7, you get one ticket to the Fields of Fear ($15 value), located at Cox Farms in Centreville, Virginia. Choose between the following Columbus Day Weekend dates:

• October 8, from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
• October 9, from 7:30 to 11 p.m.

With more than 20 acres full of witchcraft and demonry, the Fields of Fear at Cox Farms invite brave but foolish souls to journey through ominous cornfields on a dark and ill-omened night. Take a tour of the poltergeist-plagued fields with the Dark Side Hayride, where you'll hopefully (but doubtfully) escape the alien infestation, the maniacal trolls, and the horrors that await in the fear barn. Survivors can venture into the Cornnightmare, where a supernatural parade of mischievous spirits shocks and scares in the haunted library, the hall of whispers, and the bug room. Finally, head to the Firegrounds to flee down the giant torch-lit slide, watch the fire-wielding performer, or hang out at the bonfire and think about dinosaurs.

Due to the spooks of certain attractions, Field of Fears is not recommended for children younger than 12 years old, and all guests younger than age 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Those squeamish at the sight of guts and gore should avoid testing their surgical chops at the Autopsy Table, while those disgusted at the sight of pumpkin brains should stay clear of the Pumpkin Impaler games.

Valid only for date purchased on October 8 or 9.

Reviews

Northern Virginia Magazine named the Cox Farms Fall Festival the best Family-Friendly Event of 2009. The Washington Post made the farm an Editors' Pick, About.com mentioned the festival, and more than 5,000 Facebookers are fans of the farm. Six Yelpers give the farm an average of four stars. Here's what they said about last year's Fields of Fear:

• The Fields of Fear features a walk through a haunted cornfield complete with actors in creepy costumes to give young and old a good scare. There is also a fun hayride courtesy of a slow moving tractor where participants leisurely tour the farm and get more spooky surprises along the way. – James L.

• We all loved the Cornightmare adventure - where you walk a designated path through various settings getting disoriented and spooked out. – Steve L.