Article content“They delight in finding a way forward and excitedly tell their parents. If they discover a dead end, then they sagely take control and say everyone must go another way.”Article contentGoing to a corn maze, either with family or friends, is a part of tradition for many, according to Tania Mackenzie of MacKenzie Farm Market and Corn Maze in Stratford, P.E.I.Article content“People are looking for a challenge while having fun,” shared Mackenzie.Article content A visit to MacKenzie Farm Market and Corn Maze in Stratford, P.E.I., is a fun fall tradition for many families. ContributedArticle contentWhat goes into designing a corn maze?Article contentThe earliest corn mazes were born out of simple, hand-drawn designs.Article contentToday, however, GPS technology is a big part of the design process.Article contentAt Lester’s Farm Market, corn is grown with the help of plasticulture, an agricultural practice that uses plastic materials to improve crop production.Article content“We plant it by direct seed around early June, depending on the weather,” explained Lester Ryan.Article contentArticle content“This year, we had a lot of heat and sun in June and July, so our corn maze grew tall quickly.”Article contentOnce the corn reaches one to two feet in height, they go in and pull out the corn, by hand, to create the design they are after.Article content“This year, our corn maze is about two acres in total,” she added.Article contentDavey of Kool Breeze Farms likened the process of creating a corn maze to the fairy tale, “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”.Article content“We have had mazes that were too hard, mazes that were too easy, and finally got to the stage where it is just right.”Article content Visitors make their way through a Nova Scotia corn maze. ContributedArticle contentAt Kool Breeze Farms, everything starts with a sharing of ideas, typically inspired by current events, anniversaries or issues, although there are times when the design inspiration comes from a random series of geometric patterns, too, said Davey.Article content“We have created many of them using a string tied to a student on a lawnmower in an attempt to create the circles of a Monarch butterfly’s wings and stakes for straight lines,” said the maze master.Article contentArticle content“Next year, we hope to create our best ever with the GPS technology that is now available specifically for corn mazes.”Article contentThe ultimate goal with the design, explained Davey, is to offer a walking time of 35-45 minutes.Article content“Long enough to be challenging but short enough not to be overtiring to little legs,” he added.Article contentUsing GPS to create intricate mazesArticle content Toby’s Maize Quest at Fortune Bridge Farms & Toby’s Farm Market in Souris, P.E.I. is GPS-cut and designed. ContributedArticle contentToby’s Maize Quest at Fortune Bridge Farms & Toby’s Farm Market in Souris, P.E.I. is GPS-cut and designed, said Crystal Burke-Cheverie, co-owner and co-operator of the farm.Article contentToby’s Maize Quest started five years ago. It is daily until Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.Article content“We operate a full farm market, retail greenhouse, fun park for kids and (an) ice cream shop,” shared Burke-Cheverie. There’s also an on-site food truck.Article content“We plant a 10-acre field every year,” explained Burke-Cheverie.Article contentOnce the design has been chosen, a tractor with GPS software is employed to carefully cut out the paths to make for a challenging corn maze.
Getting lost in the corn: Why Atlantic Canadians flock to corn mazes every fall
