Things You May Not Know about the Popular Halloween Adventure
The corn maze…it’s hard to imagine Halloween without them anymore. Though the concept of mazes and labyrinths have been around for millennia, corn mazes are a relatively new phenomenon. They’re not just for adults, either. Many are specifically designed to appeal to children and many corn mazes offer family friendly entertainment at a very reasonable price.
When Was the First Corn Maze Opened to the Public?
It’s generally agreed that the first full-sized corn maze in the United States was created in Annville, Pennsylvania in 1993 by Earl Beal. Beal’s father worked at a local amusement park, where he designed mazes and labyrinths. Inspired by some of his father’s creations, Beal got his tractor out and carved three dizzying pathways through the corn fields, all converging in the center. It’s a model that’s still found in many contemporary corn mazes.
Where Is the Nation’s Largest Corn Maze?
Not surprisingly, you’ll have to travel to America’s heartland to find the country’s largest corn maze. The Richardson Corn Maze, in Spring Grove, Illinois, has nearly 10 miles of trails twisting and turning across 28 acres. It’s actually a conglomeration of four smaller mazes, all of which are interconnected. In 2023, the Richardson Corn Maze pays tribute to the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of the first Jurassic Park movie. The intricate design includes a T-Rex, as well as other ancient creatures. Past themes have included James Bond, as well as the Illinois bi-centennial (2018).
The Most Challenging Corn Maze in the Country?
The crown for the most difficult corn maze likely goes to the Great Vermont Corn Maze, in Danville, Vermont, where you’ll find 10-foot walls of corn blocking more than three miles of dirt trails, as well as a number of bridges and an underground tunnel.
The Nation’s Scariest Corn Mazes
What’s the point of a corn maze, if it’s not to scare the daylights out of you? For sheer terror, consider a couple classic corn mazes:
- The Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Corn Trail at the Bates Motel in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania
- The Dark Harvest Corn Maze at the Headless Horseman Hayrides in Ulster Park, New York
The Best Corn Mazes for Kids
Why should adults have all the fun? Many corn mazes have smaller and less intimidating pathways, often with a free hayride or pumpkin carving. Check out:
- The Salisbury Farm Corn Maze in Johnston, RI for a corn maze for small children
- The Liberty Corn Maze, in Liberty, Missouri, where older children can learn more about the exploits of famed outlaw Jesse James
