In past blog posts have talked about what we do to get the corn growing in the field that we use to create a corn maze. Now it is time to bring the field to life you might say!
![Our 2013 Corn Maze Aireal Photograph Our 2013 Corn Maze Aireal Photograph](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2013-LoCo-Motion-final-3--300x200.jpg)
The above photograph is of our 2013 “LoCo-Motion” corn maze adventure. Each year we theme our mazes to reflect an idea we think our guests will find enjoyable. Inside the maze are games and activities to do that reflect the designs theme. We have done NASCAR, the BIG FOOT monster truck, the Pony Express and more over the past 13 years. At first we cut the designs by “hand” with flags and grid paper. Later we hired it done by a professional maze carver. Two years ago we purchased our own Global Positioning Satellite guided system to guide us as we cut the corn. Yes we plant the corn first as discussed in a previous blog post, then we carve the design into a solid field of corn.
![Maze design in file form on computor Maze design in file form on computor](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/maze-route3-300x300.jpg)
The above pic shows what we start with. We hire a graphic artist to design a cool design and put it into a share able file that we can load onto software on a laptop that we connect to a specially designed GPS system. The the design for 2014 features a Sea Turtle and the trivia games in the maze will be Sea Turtle related as well.
![The 2014 Design displayed on my laptop The 2014 Design displayed on my laptop](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_20140708_090133_904-300x169.jpg)
The GPS system is very accurate so you need a machine that is very maneuverable to take advantage of the detail in the designs. We do what we call “Art Mazes” for a reason.
![Path right after cutting Path right after cutting](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_20140708_090249_529-300x169.jpg)
The above photo shows what the paths look like right after we cut them. We do not stop there. About two to three weeks later we go over the entire design with a roto-tiller to kill any remaining corn, grind up the cut off stalks and level the paths better for strollers and power or wheel chairs.
![Paths after roto-tilling Paths after roto-tilling](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_20140716_132215_654-300x169.jpg)
The above photo shows the paths after roto-tilling. In order to get the proper look to the design we sometimes take our wider sections of corn. The below pic is what it looks like before we hit it with the tiller.
![Pre-rototilling, a lot of corn survives the mower! Pre-rototilling, a lot of corn survives the mower!](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_20140716_131543_101-300x169.jpg)
![Following the mowed paths Following the mowed paths](https://www.maizevalley.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/IMG_20140716_131713_151-300x169.jpg)
Click Here to watch a video I made using my Go Pro as I cut the maze.
Now we wait till a few weeks before opening day to come back in and set the games and activities portion of the corn maze. It usually takes about an hour to complete the game sheet and find the various trivia questions and other things to follow along with if the guest choose to do so. The corn maze at one time was all we were about along with picking pumpkins. Over the years we have evolved into a unique fall harvest destination with a winery and new for 2014 we will be one of Ohio’s newest craft breweries also.