Fall is in the air with corn maze opening
Garret Roller, 3, of Purdy takes a dive into the corn pit in the barnyard area at the corn maze over the weekend.
September 24, 2014
Charlea Mills
No one can doubt that fall is in the air with the crisp turn in the weather. While the first official day of Fall was yesterday, September 23, the opening on the Exeter Corn Maze is a sure sign that pumpkins, hayrides, and more are here to stay for the season.
Quite a crowd gathered to enjoy the weekend at the corn maze. Artie Cole, owner, said that this year is around a 35 percent increase this weekend in attendance over prior years. One of the most popular events this year is all new interactive zombie paintball ride. The ride begins indoors where guests load up on a trailer armed with paintball guns. Riders shoot at zombies chasing them through the ride with their special glow-in-the-dark zombie bullets.. The ride is $10 for 100 shots or $15 for 200. Cole said, “It was a blast, and I was just driving. People really had fun.” Zombie paintball is open starting at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights only.
As with years prior, the maze also has their corn maze with this year’s theme as “Go Green, Recycle Congress.” When asked where they drew their inspiration for the design this year, Cole said, “We always try to do a design that everybody would agree with, and we think everyone would agree with that.” The Coles design the maze, then they hire a contract to cut the design. Participants need 30-45 minutes to get through the maze. Cole said, “It’s tough, but we have a picture on the ticket and clues throughout to help people get to the end.” At night, the maze becomes haunted for braver patrons.
Other activities include a two-story haunted barn, hayride, zipline, pumpkin cannon, corn cannon and giant pumpkin jumping pillow that brings out the kid in anybody. The facility also has plenty of free activities for little ones, including a petting zoo, small zipline, hay swing and corn pit and more.
For opening weekend, the corn maze had a special Pumpkin Run 5K to benefit area backpack programs. This upcoming Saturday, September 27, there will be a craft fair, as well as a special daycare day this Friday and scheduled youth nights available on their website.
The Exeter Corn Maze is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. They are open Tuesday through Thursday by appointment, as well. The haunted barn, haunted maze and zombie paintball are only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To contact the Exeter Corn Maze, call (417) 846-3959. They are located on Highway MM. Go south off of Highway 76 in Exeter onto Highway MM and follow the signs. Their website is www.exetercornmaze.com.
Charlea Mills
No one can doubt that fall is in the air with the crisp turn in the weather. While the first official day of Fall was yesterday, September 23, the opening on the Exeter Corn Maze is a sure sign that pumpkins, hayrides, and more are here to stay for the season.
Quite a crowd gathered to enjoy the weekend at the corn maze. Artie Cole, owner, said that this year is around a 35 percent increase this weekend in attendance over prior years. One of the most popular events this year is all new interactive zombie paintball ride. The ride begins indoors where guests load up on a trailer armed with paintball guns. Riders shoot at zombies chasing them through the ride with their special glow-in-the-dark zombie bullets.. The ride is $10 for 100 shots or $15 for 200. Cole said, “It was a blast, and I was just driving. People really had fun.” Zombie paintball is open starting at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights only.
As with years prior, the maze also has their corn maze with this year’s theme as “Go Green, Recycle Congress.” When asked where they drew their inspiration for the design this year, Cole said, “We always try to do a design that everybody would agree with, and we think everyone would agree with that.” The Coles design the maze, then they hire a contract to cut the design. Participants need 30-45 minutes to get through the maze. Cole said, “It’s tough, but we have a picture on the ticket and clues throughout to help people get to the end.” At night, the maze becomes haunted for braver patrons.
Other activities include a two-story haunted barn, hayride, zipline, pumpkin cannon, corn cannon and giant pumpkin jumping pillow that brings out the kid in anybody. The facility also has plenty of free activities for little ones, including a petting zoo, small zipline, hay swing and corn pit and more.
For opening weekend, the corn maze had a special Pumpkin Run 5K to benefit area backpack programs. This upcoming Saturday, September 27, there will be a craft fair, as well as a special daycare day this Friday and scheduled youth nights available on their website.
The Exeter Corn Maze is open Fridays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. They are open Tuesday through Thursday by appointment, as well. The haunted barn, haunted maze and zombie paintball are only open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
To contact the Exeter Corn Maze, call (417) 846-3959. They are located on Highway MM. Go south off of Highway 76 in Exeter onto Highway MM and follow the signs. Their website is www.exetercornmaze.com.
