Search 8-Acre Corn Maze For Craft Beer: New Abbey Farms Fall Event

AURORA, IL — "I once had to scour a corn maze for my beer." That's one thing adults will be able to say after participating in Abbey Farm's newest fall activity.

The Aurora farm, at 2855 Hart Road, is opening Sept. 16 through Oct. 29 for its 15th Pumpkin Daze season, a family-friendly event and store that features "ol' fashioned farm fun."

On opening day, the farm, a member of the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, is hosting its inaugural Taste the Maze.

From 5:30-9 p.m., attendees 21 and older will be tasked with searching Abbey Farms' 8-acre corn maze to find seven tasting stations with more than 14 samples of craft beer, hard cider and seltzer from local breweries. Breweries participating include Two Brothers Artisan Brewing, 2 Fools Cider, Art History Brewing, Obscurity Brewing, Penrose Brewing and Go Brewing.

After exploring the corn maze, attendees will gather at the Reed Pavilion at 6:30 p.m. for food, drinks and live music by The Bare Hambones.

Tickets to the event cost $40 and include all tastings plus entertainment access. Tickets are available for $20 for designated drivers. Additional food and drinks will cost extra.

Besides the corn maze, other Pumpkin Daze park activities include:

• Pirate ship adventure
• Powerful corn cannon
• Tractor tire hill
• Weekend/holiday petting zoo
• Megadrop slide
• Combine slide
• Jumping pillow
• Tractor/hay wagon ride
• Pick-your-own pumpkins from a 40-acre patch

Abbey Farm's fall activities will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays during September. In October, hours will be extended to 10 p.m. A craft beer and wine tent will be open on weekends, and the farm store at the Emporium will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily except on Mondays when it is closed.