As we are nearing the end of summer with fall just around the corner, it’s that time of year when we tend to see a variety of interesting pictures of corn mazes. I’m not exactly sure why, but corn mazes have really made a name for themselves as an important part of Americana.
Did you know the first modern corn maze here in the US wasn’t created until the early-1990s, though simple mazes were around as early as the 1980s. Since that time, the number of corn mazes has mushroomed in size. By 1998 there were thought to be between 50 and 100 corn mazes in the US. By 2008, Corn Mazes America estimated that there were over +800, and the numbers have exploded higher ever since.
Nowadays, many corn mazes are designed by professional corn maze companies. These companies design hundreds of mazes each year for farmers around the country. A few of the agritainment companies I’ve heard of include: The Maize, Corn Mazes America, Evergreen Creations, Maize Quest, The Corn Maze Guy. Another kind of cool site that fits the Fall and Halloween theme is one called “Haunted Farms of America“. You guessed it, their business is designed to help you learn, get organized, and improve your Haunted Agritainment business offering a ton of haunted farm resources
With harvest kicking off for many and right around the corner for others, I thought this would be a good time to share some of the more interesting themed mazes. In fact, USA Today is running a contest where you can vote for the best corn maze in the country. Below are a few of the ones that made it to the final 20 this year. You can vote and see the entire list HERE
Illinois – World Largest Corn Maze: On September 10, the world’s largest corn maze will open for its 2022 season, and this year it will be crafted to honor James Bond films. The Richardson Corn Maze is a 10-mile trail about 65 miles outside Chicago in Spring Grove, Illinois. This year, the maze will be made up of James Bond actors from throughout the years. There will be Roger Moore, Sean Connery, Daniel Craig, and Pierce Brosnan trails that can be seen from the sky.
Maine -Treworgy Family Orchards: Host to the largest continually running corn maze in the state of Maine, Treworgy’s Family Orchard’s maze covers over four acres and consists of 60,000 corn plants grown to a height of ten feet. Each year, family members design and plant a new maze using traditional surveying and drafting methods.
Wisconsin – Treinen Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch: Each fall, Angie Treinen of Treinen Farm in Lodi, Wisconsin designs a new corn maze and her husband Alan cuts it into the cornfield by hand… no GPS! Navigating the maze can take anywhere from 45 minutes to several hours. Those who want an even bigger challenge can tackle the circle maze.
Minnesota – Sever’s Corn Maze & Fall Festival: For more than +20 years, guests from the Twin Cities have been visiting Sever’s Corn Maze & Fall Festival in Shakopee, Minnesota to participate in their Corn Maze Challenge. The largest corn maze in Minnesota provides signposts to help visitors navigate the paths. Participants who correctly solve the maze puzzle can enter a grand prize drawing awarded at the end of the season.
Indiana – Exploration Acres: From mid-September through October, visit Exploration Acres and get lost in Lafayette, Indiana’s largest corn maze. Each year the 23-acre corn maze is given a new creative design with miles and miles of pathways to navigate. In addition to the maze, the farm offers plenty of family-friendly activities like hayrides, pumpkin picking, tractor trains, and more.
Idaho – Lowe Family Farmstead: Kuna, Idaho’s original corn maze, the Farmstead MAiZE, gets carved across an 18-acre cornfield into a new design each year (2019 maze pictured). Along with mazes, there’s a pumpkin patch, hayrides and a host of family-friendly games and activities including a potato sack slide, small zip line and catch-and-release fishing pond.
Ohio – Maze Craze: Come and get lost in New Springfield, Ohio, at Maze Craze! Over 21 acres of corn, with four different maze difficulties to choose from, and open from mid-September through the end of October. Plan to spend anywhere from ninety minutes to three hours as you wind your way through the corn to complete all four challenges!
