Corn Maze at Lyman Orchards Open this Weekend

The 12^th Annual Corn Maze at Lyman Orchards kicks off Saturday, September 3, at 10 a.m, with a patriotic ribbon-cutting ceremony.  The Red, White and Blue–themed event will also include fun family activities all day long. The opening weekend will honor America’s Armed Forces, as well as celebrate the many ways to enjoy the event’s main culinary attraction, delicious Connecticut Grown corn.

Corn chowder, corn fritters, corn muffins, corn on the cob, kettle corn and corn dogs are just a few of the tasty treats available at the indoor eatery and outdoor grill throughout the day. Families and groups of friends of all ages can gather to enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, pony rides, free food samplings, and golf at Lyman Orchards two classic 18-hole courses.  Fun outdoor activities include picking Lyman’s homegrown apples, peaches, and pears on the picturesque hillsides of the family-owned farm.

The highlight of the day is the opening of the Corn Maze, a four-acre design featuring an American flag and eagle, carved in honor of Those Who Serve.  Accompanied by arrangements of patriotic music, former U.S. Army Ranger Captain, Joseph DeRing, a recipient of both the U.S. Army Bronze Star for service in Iraq, and the Meritorious Service Award for service in Afghanistan, will preside over the ribbon-cutting ceremonies, officially opening Lyman’s 2011 Corn Maze. 

Prior to the ribbon cutting, visitors will be treated to a behind-the-scenes look at the work involved in creating a Corn Maze, showing how each maze is designed to provide a unique and special navigational experience for all those who travel through it.

“Any time you can incorporate admiration, celebration, entertaining exercise, and fun all at the same time, it is certain to attract a lot of attention,” says Brett Herbst, a professional maze designer from Utah who, since 2000, has created all twelve of Lyman’s Corn Mazes and five Sunflower Mazes. Both agricultural mazes are among Connecticut's most popular annual visitor attractions.

“The Corn Maze experience is authentic,” explains John Lyman III, Executive Vice President of Lyman Orchards. “Thousands of families have enjoyed the navigational challenge, and every year, the design is different, adding to the excitement and specialness of each of our mazes.”

Two miles of winding pathways take visitors through every corner of the four acre maze. Overlook bridges provide a 360 degree view of the sprawling cornfield. Lyman’s ‘Corn Cops’ are always on duty to help visitors navigate the disorienting landscape.  Visitors will encounter nearly a hundred decision points along the way, and on average, maze-goers complete their journey in about 30 to 45 minutes.  “Visitors will receive maps, passports, and fun facts about America’s many Heroes. Each of these serves as a clue that can be used to help find the way to the exit,” says John Lyman. 

Lyman Orchards donates $1 of every maze admission ticket sold to the American Cancer Society.  Since 2000, Lyman Orchards has donated more than $325,000 to help in the fight against cancer.

Corn Maze hours of operation are Wed-Fri, 3pm-6pm, and Sat. & Sun., 10am-6pm.  The Maze is also open Labor Day and Columbus Day, from 10-6pm.  Last admittance into the maze is 5:30pm, when ticket sales close. Lyman’s 2011 Corn Maze will remain open through October 30.