The end of summer in Central Indiana is always remembered for certain events: riding the train to the Indiana State Fair, back to school shopping and eating fresh Indiana grown corn-on-the-cob with butter and salt! As our farmers prepare for their harvests, many farms are also preparing and cutting their unique Corn Mazes that will delight the young and old come October! There are five farms in Central Indiana that truly stand out when it comes to Corn Mazes and pumpkin patches!
Waterman’s Farm Market
In Marion County, Waterman’s Farm Market (7010 East Raymond Street, Indianapolis, IN 46289) bills itself as “An Indianapolis Family Tradition.” Waterman’s has three cornfield mazes, each at a different challenge level. The first maze is designed for very young children and is straightforward. The second maze offers choices about which way to walk: forward or backward, right or left. Their third maze is longer and more challenging. You could take a farm tour and hayride out to the pumpkin patch and pick the perfect pumpkin for carving! Your kids will enjoy seeing the farm animals and climbing on a straw mountain. Children will also have fun crawling and bouncing in their “Bouncy Barnstorm” inflatables. Sand Diggers and a tricycle trail for those 10 and under round out their activities. Waterman’s also offers food and live entertainment on Saturdays and Sundays. While their website www.watermansfarmmarket.com was not yet updated for 2009, a call to (317) 357-2989 confirmed that their Fall Festival is open from October 1-October 31, 2009 and is open daily from 9 am-8 pm. 2008 admission was $4 per person weekday and $5 per person weekend. Please confirm admission prices for 2009 before heading over to Waterman’s!
Russell Farms
Just north of Indianapolis in Noblesville you’ll find Russell Farms (12290 E. 191st Street, Noblesville, IN 46060). Russell Farms admission includes a plethora of fun activities for everyone in your family! They offer a large, challenging 5 acre corn maze and a smaller scavenger hunt corn maze with prizes for finding hidden items! Enjoy miniature golf, lasso a bull and basketball fun. In addition, they have Peddle Carts for big kids and adults, Peddle Tractors and Pony Peddle Carts for the younger set. A Bluegrass Band will be playing October 18, 19, 25 and 26th from noon until 3 pm. If all of this isn’t enough fun, you’ll also be treated to a blacksmith exhibit, Snack Shack and a Country Store offering crafts, toys, jellies and fudge. For an extra charge you can participate in pumpkin decorating, face painting and sand art. The Russell Farms Country Fall Festival is open from 10am-6pm every Saturday and Sunday from September 26 to November 1, 2009. Admission is $5 per person. Call Laura or Daryl Russell for more information about daytime group outings at (317)773-9078. If you are interested in evening group hayride/bonfire reservations, contact Dave Russell at (317)776-0163. Laura even likes to make a sign to welcome your group! Visit www.russell-farms.com for more information.
Head east from Indianapolis to Fortville where you will find Piney Acres Farm (1115 East 1000 North, Fortville, IN 46040.) If you are looking for a Haunted Corn Maze, you’ve found your farm! This 6 acre maze becomes haunted after dusk on Friday and Saturday evenings. Be sure to bring a flashlight because the path is not lighted…and of course, very spooky! During the day you will receive a “Maze Card” with your paid admission. You will find 24 posts throughout the maze with a punch attached. At each post, punch your card and answer a trivia question. If you complete the maze with 24 correct punches or if you answer all 24 trivia questions correctly, you’ll receive 10% off a pumpkin of your choice! The maze takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Be sure to take a hayride to the pumpkin patch to select your own carving pumpkin! Opening date for the corn maze has not yet been determined for Fall 2009. Hours of operation are Fridays from 3pm-10pm; Saturdays from 10are-10pm and Sundays from 12pm-9pm. Regular admission: 13 and up is $6, 6-12 is $5 and age 5 and under are free. Haunted Maze admission after 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays: 13 and up is $8 and 6-12 is $7. Haunted Maze is not recommended for children under 5. Call Rex Zenor at (317)326-1700. You can find more information on their website www.pineyacresfarm.com .
Kelsay Farms
Take I-65 South to Whiteland from Indianapolis and you’ll arrive at Kelsay Farms (6848 N 250 E, Whiteland, IN 46184), a delightful working dairy farm. In addition to their 5 acre corn maze, your family or group can take a tour of Kelsay’s milking operations! You’ll find many attractions here such as their Bale Mountain, Pumpkin Sling Shot, Moo Choo Express train ride, cornhole games and a Corn Crib play area. Enjoy seeing the calves in the Freestall Barn. After you’ve completed your Corn Maze and visited the Milking Parlor, be sure to go to the pumpkin patch via hay ride. Remember to enjoy a grilled cheese sandwich or milkshake after working up an appetite in their many attractions. Opening Day is Saturday, October 3 and runs through Sunday, October 25. Hours of operation are Fridays from 6pm-10pm, Saturdays from noon-10pm and Sundays from noon-6pm. Regular admission is $7 and free to the 2 and younger crowd. A variety of group and scout tours are available with varying prices. Reservations are required for groups, so be sure to schedule your group by contacting Amy at [email protected] or calling (317)535-4136. You’ll find a visit to www.kelsayfarms.com to be worthwhile.
Heading straight north out of Indianapolis on US 31 you will find the path to Guffey Acres (1603 N 400 W, Kokomo, IN 46901) whose stated mission is “to provide a family fun and educational experience that is a tradition for the community and a legacy for our family!” Their corn maze is 5+ acres and includes finding funny clues and silly riddles to help find your way out of the maze. If you click on their website www.guffeyacres.com you even have the opportunity to view an aerial layout of the maze! For smaller children, they have a mini hay bale maze. You can round out your fun adventure to Guffey Acres by taking a hayride, picking out pumpkins, riding the Barrel Train, gliding down the tube slide. They have a craft tent, cow roping and a dress a farmer game. The Maze is open from September 25 through October 31. Hours are Mondays through Thursdays from
3pm-8pm, Fridays from 3pm-10pm and Saturdays from 10am-10pm, closed Sundays. Admission price for the Maze and all attractions is $8, $6 for the corn maze only or $4 for the attractions only. Children 2 and under are free. Bob Evans Restaurant sponsors a 2 for 1 admission every Thursday. You may pick up your discount voucher at the Bob Evans in Kokomo. You may also get a coupon on their website by filling in your personal information. In addition, they have special days for Scouts where you can earn a patch (Tuesday, Oct. 6), Youth Group Day (Wednesday, Oct. 7) and Trick-or-Treat (Saturday, Oct. 31.) For more information, call (765)864-0006 or check out their website.
Additional thoughts to make your Corn Maze experience A-maize-ing!
No matter which farm you choose, you can be assured your family will have a wonderful experience! Do remember you will be visiting a farm and tromping through fields; therefore, be sure to dress in weather appropriate attire and sturdy shoes. After rainfall, the fields will most likely be muddy. If you want to take a group to any of these venues, be sure to contact them directly to make the appropriate arrangements. If you plan to walk through any of the corn mazes after dusk, do not forget your flashlight! Directions to all of the farms can be found on their respective websites. A visit to any of these farms will ensure your family enjoys a special treat this autumn!
