The iconic symbols of the fall season are now all around us. Scarecrows are transported from the vegetable patch to the lamppost or front porch. Apples and cider rule. Corn husks in the fields enjoy an autumnal reincarnation while a Washington Redskins corn maze awaits visitors.
The Redskins logo cut into the cornfield, you ask?
“We get a lot of D.C. fans,” said Teresa Summers Greenwood, who, along with her husband, Jeff Greenwood, operates Summers Farm in Frederick, Md., where from now until Nov. 2, 14 dedicated acres have been reworked into two mazes.
“At the Summers Farm Adventure, [you can] choose the smaller maze for the younger crowd or our super challenging and larger [Redskins] maze,” she continued. “You might be fortunate enough to stumble onto the correct pathway, conquering the corn in less than 30 minutes, or you might find yourself a bit directionally challenged and take a couple of hours to make your way through the corn puzzle.”
The stakes increase on Friday and Saturday nights through October when visitors are allowed to explore the Redskins maze by flashlight and are encouraged to bring take their cell phones for the opportunity to text keywords throughout the maze for clues and prizes.
The Greenwoods pride themselves on 2.5 miles of paths and two scenic bridges hidden within.
Noting that Summers Farm is a place for good, wholesome fun, specializing in families, Teresa Summers Greenwood also touts the barnyard grill that serves, among other things, hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza, as well as a sweets shop where homemade goodies such as apple cider doughtnuts, pies, breads, cookies and caramel apples are for sale.
The largest corn maze in Maryland, however, is located in Thurmont, and open until Nov. 6. At Lawyer’s Moonlight Maze, 7 1/2 miles of trails cover 42 acres.
“This year’s theme is ‘Iron Man,’” said Taylor Lawyer, the owner’s daughter and public relations manager. “We have the ‘Iron Man’ broken down into four separate mazes, so [the visitor] doesn’t have to do all four.”
Evenings at the farm come complete with the film “Iron Man” projected onto a jumbo, outdoor screen. Additionally this season the farm introduces a large indoor hay maze to accompany its playground and picnic area, as well as the pumpkin and corn launchers. The Moonlight Maze is open on Fridays and Saturdays; the farm and maze also open Sundays until 5 p.m.
Whoever thought the season’s perennial symbol of the cornfield turned golden after giving up its bounty could be so much fun?
