From ground level it’s not possible to know that the corn maze at Maple Grove Farm in Mulmur is actually a stylized picture of a farm, with a tractor, barn and silo.
While navigating the 12-acre maze with pathways lined by 6-8 feet tall corn stalks, that may not be of any help to those trying to find their way out. Reports from the maze are that it’s really easy to get lost in the wheels.
Spokesperson Jenna Champagne says people have emerged from the maze looking a little harried after about 60-90 minutes of being inside, the average time it takes to complete.
Champagne said, like with any crop, “you plant it in the spring and hope that it works.”
They were very grateful to a customer who flew over and took some photos to confirm that it was indeed a big success.
“We were so happy to see that what we had been waiting for actually did work,” said Champagne.
In the past, Maple Grove Farm has created a maze using the traditional method of cutting pathways through a corn field but decided to utilize technology for the first time this year and a tractor was programmed to create a design using GPS. Champagne said this is the start of a new annual tradition with a new maze design each year.
The maze is the main attraction of Maple Grove Farm’s Fall Festival, on until Oct. 28, including some free and some ticketed activities.
Free activities in the backyard play area include pig races on Saturdays and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., farm games, giant bubbles, a picnic pavilion and farm animals.
The ticketed area includes unlimited wagon rides around the farm, admission to the pumpkin patch and the maze. There is a scavenger hunt inside the maze, and there is a smaller family-friendly maze for those with a shorter time commitment that takes about 20-30 minutes to complete.
Champagne says it is a bit eerie inside the maze because the corn buffers the sound, so it’s very quiet. On Oct. 28, the maze will take on a Halloween theme, and those who dare to enter will be encouraged to wear costumes.
Tickets range from $6 to $12 and are available on site and in advance at www.maplegrovefarm. ca/fallfest. Maple Grove Farm is located at 936215 Airport Rd. in Mulmur. The farm store is open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and the fall festival activities are on weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last call for the maze at 4 p.m. and the last wagon at 3:30 p.m.
Mike Berezuk photo