Mazes will delight, confuse

By Ann Tastad


Daily News staff writer

CALEDONIA _ Getting lost in a cornfield has never been so much fun.

Boone County is home to two corn mazes this fall, the latest craze in fall entertainment. The Pumpkin Patch and Country Memory Trails, both in rural Caledonia, are hosting mazes this year _ one in the shape of a Monarch butterfly and the other a pumpkin.

``It's one of those off-the-wall brainstorming ideas,'' Pumpkin Patch owner Jean Coon said of the six-acre corn maze shaped as a pumpkin that sits across the road from her business.

Heading into her second year as owner of the business, formerly owned by children's author Frank Fiorello, Coon said she and her husband were looking for ways to expand on some of the Pumpkin Patch's more popular attractions. One of those is a kiddie maze, which includes a maze created out of snow fencing lined with corn stalks. The maze was easy for children to get through, but the Coons started making plans for a more difficult maze for older children and adults.

Neither Coon nor Country Memory Trail owner Jim Schumacher wanted to reveal all the secrets behind a corn maze, but they gave a few hints, such as the corn not being planted in rows and the use of a Global Positioning System to plat the maze after a design is created. Also, Coon said the work crew plowed the maze when the corn was only knee high for ease.

Coon said the actual plowing of the maze went quicker than she expected.

``It went really well. I expected it to take days, but it only took 8 to 10 hours,'' she said.

Schumacher said it took six hours for him to rototill his way through his maze.

While recently wandering through the trails that make up the wings of the butterfly, Schumacher pointed out the lack of rain has left the corn smaller than usual. But the dry weather, according to Coon, could be a good thing for maze-goers if it continues.

``Weather is the biggest factor,'' she said.

Those brave enough to take on either maze will be given a map and a ticket to mark off check points throughout the walking puzzle. Flags also will be given to those entering the maze so those who get hopelessly lost or begin to panic can signal for help. Schumacher said he'll have ``corn cops'' wandering through his maze, and both fields will have people in look-out towers to keep an eye on those working their way through the adventure.

The butterfly maze, located along Caledonia Road about one mile north of the Boone County Fairgrounds, opens today and will remain open throughout the fall. Schumacher said he hopes people come to try the maze and stay to enjoy a heritage trail, petting zoo and wagon rides.

Schumacher's maze actually consists of four parts _ a butterfly, the words ``Country Memory Trails,'' the Pepsi insignia and the Thor Roofing logo. The six-acre plat, if navigated correctly, should take about one hour to get through. However, Schumacher admitted the design was not created for simple navigation and he expects people to have fun following the twists and turns the maze offers.

Country Memory Trail maze will be open 2-10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and noon-6 p.m. Sunday. Those wanting take on the maze at night should bring flashlights. Cost is $6 for anyone over 12 years of age, and $4 for those under 12. For more information about the butterfly maze, call (815) 544-0698.

The maze at the Pumpkin Patch opens Aug. 15 and will stay open, weather permitting, until Oct. 31. Coon said she expects to offer a haunted maze at Halloween time, but will not be open at night. In addition to the maze, The Pumpkin Patch offers a gift shop, harvest barn, wagon and pony rides as well as food, refreshments and entertainment on weekends. Also, the kiddie maze will be available as children under the age of 10 will not be allowed in the corn maze without an adult.

Cost for the Pumpkin Patch maze is $6 for anyone over the age of 12, and $4 for those 12 and younger. For more information about the maze, call (815)765-2587.

 


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