A real 'corn'ucopia

Homegrown labyrinths usher in harvest season

September 01, 2005|by KRISTIN WILSON

Looking for a way to enjoy the Tri-State area's harvest season?

In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, try one of the region's corn mazes. These homegrown labyrinths can range from simple child's play to frustratingly difficult.

Here are some of the mazes stumping guests this autumn:

- Winterbrook Farm, Thurmont, Md.

WHEN: Lawyer's Moonlight Maze is open Fridays, Saturday and Sundays, Sept. 17 through Oct. 30.

COST: $7; $5 for ages 6 to 12; free, children 5 and younger; pumpkin cannon is $5 for three shots.

MORE: For more information, hours and directions go to www.mazeplay.com or call 301-271-4826.

- Summers Farm, Frederick, Md.

The Summers family entertains crowds with a five-acre corn maze with two miles of curving paths and a "mystery phrase" that can only be deciphered by finding all the check points in the maze. There are also rope and mini mazes geared toward younger maze seekers.

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 1 through Oct. 30; 2:30 to 6 p.m. weekdays in October.

COST: $6 per person weekends; $5 per person weekdays; free, children 2 and younger

MORE: Fall-For-All Festival includes giant slides, a farm heritage museum, straw pile jumps, corn sand boxes and a "kids' corral." For more information and directions, go to www.summersfarm.com or call 301-620-9316.

- Ridgefield Farm & Orchard, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.

Ridgefield Farm has two corn mazes that are planted more densely than a regular corn field, making maze navigation extra difficult, says farm owner Alan Gibson.

WHEN: Ridgefield's corn mazes are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct.31.

COST: $3 for entry into the maze

MORE: Ridgefield Farm also offers apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides and games. Call

1-304-876-3647 or go to www.ridgefieldfarm.com for more information and directions.

- York Hill Orchard and Farm, near Shepherdstown, W.Va.

York Hill Orchard offers a corn maze cut like a wagon wheel, says farm owner Mary Frances Hockman. "It's enough to be challenging but not impossible," she says of the maze.

WHEN: Saturdays and Sundays only, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 30.

COST: $5; $3.50, children 4 to 12; free, children 3 and younger.

MORE: Admission to York Hill Orchard includes the corn maze, hay wagon rides, nature trails, apple samplings, apple history and pumpkin craft activities. For more information and directions, call 1-304-876-6477 or go to www.yorkhill-wv.com.

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