In a fitting salute to the work involved, the 2011 Amazing Maize Maze at Historical Rural Hill in Huntersville will open Labor Day weekend.
This year’s masterfully designed maze by the New York-based American Maze Company, with the theme “Fit to be A-Maized,” incorporates the outline of a runner in full stride, a stretched-out swimmer and a pedaling bicyclist in the seven-acre cornstalk labyrinth. But those entering the maze will see only head-high corn stalks mixed in with a few hints and suggestions as they flounder about from dead end to dead end, searching for the way out.
The Amazing Maize Maze opens with a three-day run Saturday, Sept. 3 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 5. Opening weekend hours will be 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.
After the first weekend, the maze will be open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 13. Friday hours will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday operating times will be 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Starting the last Friday in September, special “flashlight” activities will be held each Friday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. throughout October, and on into the first weekend in November.
For Rural Hill, a carefully maintained 265-acre historical homestead off Neck Road that is part of the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation program and supported through membership and donations, the Amazing Maize Maze has become a fall tradition and, along with spring’s Scottish Festival and Loch Norman Highland Games, a major event on the facility’s annual calendar.
“This and the Games are our biggest attractions of the year,” says Jeff Fissell, Rural Hill’s executive director. “The Maze goes on for 11 weeks so it is our longest-running event and it attracts the most people. It allows people from all over to find out about us and learn more about everything we have to offer.”
The growing popularity of the Maize Maze also goes a long way toward helping Rural Hill continue its vast assortment of educational and entertaining programs. “This is our biggest fundraiser, without a doubt,” Fissell says. “It allows us to keep the farm operating the rest of the year.”
Creation of the maze is the end result of a dedicated month’s-long process. Fissell and Zac Vinson, Rural Hill’s director of education, say most folks don’t realize all the work involved. “It keeps us busy from June to November,” Fissell says, adding that when the maze closes the feed corn is harvested and fed to cows at Rural Hill.
“It’s labor intensive,” Vinson adds, “and that’s really an understatement.”
Vinson explains that the corn was planted in June and, once the field took shape, the Rural Hill staff provided a grid map to the maze company. The design was then spray painted on the field and cornstalks along the two-and-one-half miles of pathways were pulled up by hand.
“If you mow it, it just pops back up,” Vinson says. “It really is a lot of work. But it’s worth it.”
The end result is a secret path with many wrong turns, a few mailboxes stuffed with “kernels of knowledge,” staff members stationed to help the hopelessly confused, scattered water coolers to refresh those too stubborn to surrender, and the hard-to-reach Victory Bridge leading to the exit. It is a local example of what National Public Radio describes as “a green and gold amusement ride that stands still” and a tribute to the maze company’s slogan: “Getting people lost since 1993.”
The estimated time for successful navigation of this year’s “Fit to be Amazed” maze is between one and two hours, depending on the skill involved and exactly what type of refreshments those tackling the maze decide to enjoy.
Concessions will be available during maze operating hours and, on Saturdays and Sundays, Rural Hill will also offer hay rides and other attractions.
Admission to the Rural Hill Amazing Maize Maze is $10 for ages 13 and older, $7 for those 5-12 and free for children ages 4 and younger. There are group discounts available and plans for groups should be confirmed by calling 704-875-3113. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at www.ruralhill.net.
