The days are getting cooler and the scenery will soon be ablaze with the bright yellows, oranges and reds of changing leaves. Fall in Northeast Ohio is the perfect time for family fun, as many area farms open their (barn) doors so visitors can enjoy events that feature the best of the season: hayrides, pumpkin patches and corn mazes. Whether you’re searching for a true labyrinth for older, thrill-seeking children or a stroller-friendly walk through the stalks with tiny tots, there’s a corn maze that’s perfect for your family.
“Corn mazes are a Northeast Ohio tradition; if you grew up here, you’re used to seeing the farms and the corn,” says Andy McGovern, events manager at Lake Metroparks’ Farmpark. “Agricultural tourism is on a very big upswing. It is the thing to do when you take your family out in the fall — you go somewhere to do fall-themed activities, and corn is in that realm.”
This year, the Farmpark’s three-acre corn maze celebrates the Summer Olympics with the theme of “Corny Olympics,” according to McGovern, who adds the maze will feature a handful of stations within the stalks where kids can do Olympic-inspired activities. Upon completion of the stroller-friendly maze, visitors can take a stand on the Corny Olympic podium.
“Fall festivals are great because they get families outside doing activities together,” says Debbie Sebolt, who owns Nickajack Farms with her husband, Joe.
She adds that corn mazes, and fall festivals in general, also offer an educational element for children. “They learn map-reading skills and gain an understanding of agriculture,” Sebolt says. “One of our goals on the farm has always been teaching families about agriculture and how it relates to them, whether it’s the (seven-acre) corn maze, a hayride around the farm, an up-close look at equipment, or the barnyard with farm animals.”
In the era of constant high-tech distraction, corn mazes can offer a welcome respite from the screens of computers, televisions, tablets and phones.
“People don’t get to go out on the farms like they used to years ago, when everyone had a relative who had a farm,” says Karen Ramseyer, who owns Ramseyer Farms with her husband, Dennis. “That’s why we decided to start doing this interactive family activity, so people aren’t using electronics, they’re out here doing things together.”
Ramseyer Farms offers a few maze options: the Ohio Maze, which keeps the same path from year to year and involves Ohio geography and facts; the eight-acre Mystery Maize, which is a more challenging course with a new theme each year; and the Mini Maze, which is a small section within the Mystery Maize that’s geared toward young children.
This year, the Mystery Maize is a partnership with Peanuts and the 50th anniversary of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” The maze design features the cartoon’s characters in a pumpkin patch, with the Mini Maze shape an outline of Snoopy.
All Things Fall
The majority of farms that create corn mazes also provide other fall fun. For example, the Farmpark offers all of its usual exhibits and play areas, plus special themed Fall Harvest Weekends with kids’ crafts, harvest demonstrations, special treats and more.
Nickajack Farms’ Fall Festival also includes hayrides, barnyard animals, hands-on activities, games, miniature golf, an obstacle course, a straw maze, pony rides and more.
Ramseyer Farms also offers hayrides, a corn barn, pedal carts, an obstacle course, hill slides, a straw maze, farm animals and a play fort, among other activities.
To help map out your family’s plan for fall fun, check our list of area corn mazes. If you’re hungry for more seasonal fun, consult our lists of local apple orchards, pumpkin patches and hay rides!
