BLAZING AN A-MAZING TRAIL
When organizers of the Tomball Corn Maze met to plan this year’s design, they worried it would be difficult to top the railroad theme of the inaugural maze, a nod to their city’s locomotive history. So they thought bigger. The result is a 5-acre maze that pays homage to Texas. Paths cut among 6-foottall corn stalks take the shape of a Texas longhorn, a boot, a cowboy hat, the Texas A&M University logo and — the central focal point — a large, lone star, which is not to be confused with the Dallas Cowboys’ emblem, they say.
In its first year, 2016, 4,500 people went through the maze, which was a surprise to sponsoring organization Salem Lutheran Church, says staff member Donna Orrico. What was “a cockamamy idea” to utilize a piece of unused property last fall now raises significant funds to send youth on mission trips to places like Honduras and the Rio Grande Valley, she says.
Plus, “It’s a great way for families to spend time together and be a little competitive,” Orrico says.
Visitors can play an old-fashioned game of hide-and-seek inside the maze, or they can participate in an organized challenge to search for 14 symbols. Marked by placards throughout the paths, the Texas-themed symbols (armadillo, cotton, bluebonnet, belt buckle and so on) each correspond with a word. Those who transcribe all the words will unlock a mystery phrase and collect a prize at the concession stand.
The maze takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours to complete. “It depends on if you get lost,” Orrico says. “If you go the wrong way, you can really get messed up.”
Not to worry. Tall orange flags are distributed at the maze’s entry, and volunteers are on hand to rescue lost parties.
Outside of the maze, there is a pumpkin patch with pumpkins for purchase, a hayride and games of corn hole.
Orrico says the corn stalks are taller and greener this year, making games more challenging and fun. Still in an experimental phase last year, parts of the maze died out before the season’s end. Soil conditions have improved because of last year’s harvest.
On Wednesday, from 5-7 p.m., admission to the corn maze is half-price and children can wear costumes to participate in a “trunk or treat” in the parking lot, selecting candy from the trunks of volunteers’ cars.
On Oct. 29, the maze is open late, 7-10 p.m., and ages 12 and older are invited for Flashlight Fright Night. Orrico says to bring a flashlight to traverse the maze and be prepared to be spooked.