Spring Break
Maze can be 'corn'fusing
Courtney Jayne
Issue date: 10/10/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Student are invited to become lost in a labyrinth of maize at Western Illinois University's Horn Field Campus. The annual corn maze will begin Oct. 13. and be open from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 13-14, 20-21 and 27.
"It's a great fall tradition at Western," said HFC program coordinator Mindy Harpman.
She said crop rotation last year prevented HFC from hosting a corn maze, but the event has been around for several years.
"(The maze is) something I inherited, and I've only been (at HFC) two (years)," she added.
The corn maze is 10 acres, according to Harpman, and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk through.
"It is a different pattern than it was two years ago," she added.
She said this year she is pleased to see "WIU" in the maze's design.
Also, people should dress for the weather and environment.
"If we get any kind of rain (the maze) will be muddy," she said.
She added maze-goers should expect dirt, spiders, birds and other elements that can normally be found in a cornfield.
Despite these hazards, Harpman said people appreciate the corn maze because they get to be a part of the harvest season and utilize a piece of agricultural land.
As in past years, HFC will host a flashlight night and a haunted night at the corn maze.
Flashlight night will be Friday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. People will be allowed to walk through the maze in the dark and are instructed to bring a flashlight.
"It adds an element of spookiness," Harpman said.
The haunted maze will be Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m.
"(Recreation, park and tourism administration) students will be adding scare sights (to the maze)," Harpman said.
The cost of the maze is $5 for ages 13 and older and $2 for children ages 6 to 12. For a group of 15 or more, the cost is lowered to $2 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
HFC is located one mile south of Macomb on China Road.
To request accommodations due to disability, contact HFC at 309/833-5798.
"It's a great fall tradition at Western," said HFC program coordinator Mindy Harpman.
She said crop rotation last year prevented HFC from hosting a corn maze, but the event has been around for several years.
"(The maze is) something I inherited, and I've only been (at HFC) two (years)," she added.
The corn maze is 10 acres, according to Harpman, and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk through.
"It is a different pattern than it was two years ago," she added.
She said this year she is pleased to see "WIU" in the maze's design.
Also, people should dress for the weather and environment.
"If we get any kind of rain (the maze) will be muddy," she said.
She added maze-goers should expect dirt, spiders, birds and other elements that can normally be found in a cornfield.
Despite these hazards, Harpman said people appreciate the corn maze because they get to be a part of the harvest season and utilize a piece of agricultural land.
As in past years, HFC will host a flashlight night and a haunted night at the corn maze.
Flashlight night will be Friday, Oct. 26 from 7 to 10 p.m. People will be allowed to walk through the maze in the dark and are instructed to bring a flashlight.
"It adds an element of spookiness," Harpman said.
The haunted maze will be Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m.
"(Recreation, park and tourism administration) students will be adding scare sights (to the maze)," Harpman said.
The cost of the maze is $5 for ages 13 and older and $2 for children ages 6 to 12. For a group of 15 or more, the cost is lowered to $2 per person. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
HFC is located one mile south of Macomb on China Road.
To request accommodations due to disability, contact HFC at 309/833-5798.
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