Mantua – While Derthicks Corn Maze has been in operation for 15 years, many folks have made a tradition of visiting from near and far. This year, the Derthick family is delighted to once again invite visitors to the farm — something they weren’t sure would happen due to Covid-19. “Being cooped up is no fun,” MaryEllen Derthick Hamlin acknowledged. She urged people to come visit the farm this year to enjoy fresh air, see some animals, and make some family memories.
Derthicks will host a ‘soft opening’ on Friday evening, August 21st and Saturday August 22nd from 6-9pm. The maze will be open; admission is $5 per person, cash sales only. This early in the season, they expect the crowds to be smaller, giving people the opportunity to continue what for some has become an annual tradition, without the concerns of being in large crowds. Concessions available both nights, and include fries, corn dogs, hot dogs, lemonade, funnel cakes, water and soft drinks available for purchase. As in previous years, the “clue” games are set up to make your maze walk more interesting; the eagle labyrinth walking path features bad “Dean” jokes, courtesy of DJ and guy on the fly Dean Spencer. In fact, Dean will be deejaying at the maze on Saturday night, so stop by to try and stump him with your favorite joke.
As in the past, each year’s maze carries a theme. During this trying year, the mazes feature proud American symbols. The smaller maze design features an Eagle, while the Statue of Liberty is cut into the large maze. The 1.8-mile eagle labyrinth maze is one-way, with an exit at the halfway point, making it ideal for small kids or seniors. The larger 2.3-mile Statue of Liberty maze will feature game “clues” that help visitors solve a mystery. To better-accommodate social-distancing recommendations, paths in the maze will be 20 feet on center instead of 12 feet, the distance allowed during previous years’ mazes.
As you would expect, the Derthicks are working to keep the maze and experiences as safe and sanitary as possible. As such, they’ll need to limit hours and activities. Favorite features, including the cow train ride will be available, to the delight of kids of all ages. Since wagon rides aren’t permitted, the pumpkin patch was planted closer to the maze this year. Visitors can now conveniently walk to the patch to select their pumpkins, with proceeds once again supporting the Meghan R. Brant Memorial Fund to support ovarian cancer research.
According to Derthick, “The biggest thing is having a place where people who are far removed from farming can come out and see where their food comes from,” she explained. “You can see a tractor in a book, but you don’t often get the chance to see large farm equipment up close, or to see animals like calves, sheep, and rabbits up close.” She noted that while children aren’t permitted to touch animals this year, the barns are filled with educational signs. For example — did you know footballs (commonly called pigskins) are actually made from cowhide? Or that crayons aren’t made with just wax — some contain soybeans, like the ones growing nearby.
MaryEllen Derthick Hamlin, on behalf of her family, invites you and your family to come out to take a stroll, (hopefully) see a beautiful sunset, grab a bite to eat and have a relaxing night at the farm. She acknowledged that they are following State guidelines, and reminded attendees that masks are required while in public. She noted that as the weekends progress and Covid-19 guidelines allow, they plan to add some of the regular activities past visitors to the farm have enjoyed. She noted that the season will officially start on September 18th and run through November 1st.
Visit the Derthicks Corn Maze page on Facebook for more information, it’s the best way to see updates and stay in the loop as this unusual year progresses. Derthicks Corn Maze is located at 5182 State Route 82 in Mantua.
