You can grow it, shuck it, pop it, cook it, make fuel with it and for the last 10 years…get lost in it!
The MAiZE, located in Verona, is open for the 2008 season and, along with that comes some new surprises.
With over seven acres of corn planted and their new mind-boggling design, Grip Boys Home with the help of Jim Sherwood’s farming expertise, is bringing the “MAiZE craze” back to town.
This year’s design highlights the Monett Water Thrashers, a local swimming team that has celebrated several successful seasons.
“We are paying tribute to our own Olympic medalist who has been leading the Monett Water Thrashers to victory for years…Coach Ginny is celebrating her 20th season in Monett,” said
Stephanie Downer, administrator for Grip Boys Home and The MAiZE.
Opening day was Saturday, September 20, and will stay open until November 1.
With over 85 decision points in the seven acre puzzle, the MAiZE offers a unique source of farmin’ fun.
The MAiZE is divided into two phases. Participants will have the option to continue on to the next phase or exit the maze at the halfway point before starting the second phase.
The MAiZE is open day and night between the hours of 5-8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5-10 p.m. on Fridays and noon until 10 p.m. on Saturdays. The MAiZE is closed Sunday through Tuesday.
The ‘Field of Screams’ haunted maze starts on Friday, October 3, at dark and will run every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evening. Spooks will be lurking in the corn during the evening.
Only one part of the maze will be haunted on Wednesdays.
The cost is $6 for ages 12 and up, $4 for ages 5-11 and children under four, veterans and military are free.
Discounts are offered for groups and fieldtrips.
School fieldtrips can be scheduled during the day. The MAiZE can be utilized as an educational tool specializing in customized ag-in-the-classroom lesson plans and activity sheets for teachers.
Interactive “passports” are available for groups and the general public. Each passport contains 10 questions that quiz the user on a chosen subject and those who answer the questions correctly will receive clues that guide the students along the correct path to the exit.
Subjects include sports, boy scouting, girl scouting, scriptural, American history, interactive teambuilding, Halloween, tiny tots, movies/music/television and agriculture.
Campfire sites are available by reservation for your group. Groups can roast marshmallows, hot dogs or whatever your party likes. No alcohol is allowed. Smores kits are available in the country store or you can bring your own fixins’.
Hayrides are available on Friday and Saturday nights. The mayor of Verona Roy Snyder will take riders on a 30 minute jaunt over the river and through the woods to a historic monument that marks the spot of the first Sunday school held west of the Mississippi River.
The cost is $3 per person. Ages five and under are free with an adult. Group rates are available.
Friday and Saturday evenings, maze-goers can enjoy movies with fresh popcorn. Old movies will be shown in the courtyard.
The Feed Wagon will be on site offering barbecue sandwiches, chili, nachos, hot carmel apples and more every Friday and Saturday. Pop and snack machines are also located on-site.
There are many other things to do at the MAiZE. BoxerJocks are encouraged to sharpen their competitive skills with a new game of skill and thrill. Each rider enters the Boxer Jock in a suit of steel armor ready to do battle.
Ever want to ride a cow? Well you can at the MAiZE on the cow train. Other activities include live farm animals, pumpkin chuckin’, corn cannon, corn box, hillbilly shootin’ range, duck races, bake sales and a country store.
The MAiZE is operated by Grip Boys Home in Verona. GRIP provides residential therapeutic services for boys ages 12-18.
For more information about the MAiZE or to make reservations, contact 498-6191 or 498-6071. You can also check out the maze online at www.cornfieldmaze.com.
Aurora, Mo. —
