Spring Break
Simple pleasures-corn maze for everyone
Nadine Anheier
Issue date: 10/3/05 Section: Culture
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Run by Errie and Bernie Rasch, the maze consists of 15 miles of walk-able trail. The maze has a NASCAR theme and is made up of four different racecars cut into the field of corn. The trail is 50 inches wide and was cut using a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) for extreme accuracy and an aerial view as the maze was created.
The sixth-generation family farmers own and farm over 8,000 acres of land from Liberty, Mo., to Carrolton, Mo., but this is only the second year the maze is open, following last year's Kansas City Cheifs maze.
As a fall activity, the maze should be on the top of any list. While it may seem something of a pumpkin patch/cider mill family activity, there's nothing like the crisp air of a fall night in which you have no idea where you're going, surrounded by corn stalks and the shouts of other maze patrons. Try to avoid going directly after a rain, though - the pathways have a tendency to collect water and create one of life's favorite shoe-ruiners: mud.
Patrons aren't completely in the dark, though - the maze's five bridges add a higher view of the maze. Throughout the maze there are also various checkpoints with hole-punchers. Questions are posted at these checkpoints, and answering the question correctly will show you the direction that will best help you get out of the maze. The only drawback to this trivia is that it all revolves around NASCAR - very appropriate for the maze, but not much help to those of us less acquainted with the history and drivers of NASCAR.
The history of mazes goes back about 4,000 years, beginning with the Greeks. Mazes have long been found in artwork and floor designs in homes, streets and public buildings such as churches, but were meant less for entertainment than for rituals.
Mazes became popular in Europe as formal gardens were grown at various royal estates, and eventually made their way into the public parks in the 19th century. Corn mazes developed as a serious attraction for the fall months beginning in the '70s, and haven't backed down since.
When asked if she believes there's a continued interest in the entertainment corn mazes provide, Liberty Corn Maze employee Gieselle Fest responded, "Yes. It is challenging, interactive, and there's nothing else like it in the Metro area. This is the largest corn maze in the state of Missouri."
To back up her words are statistics - last year the maze welcomed 15,000 people, and they expect 20,000 to visit this year.
My advice - don't think you're too cool for a little country fun. Gather up some friends and visit the Liberty Corn Maze. The maze will be open weekends through Oct. 30, from 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday, as well as 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday. Cost of admission is $9. A $2 off coupon and more information is available at their Web site, www.libertycornmaze.com.
Liberty Corn Maze
PLACE
Half mile east of Highway 291 on Highway 210
TIME
Open weekends through Oct. 30
5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
PRICE
$9 admission
nanheier@unews.com
