The corn has been planted and work is underway to create pathways in celebration of the 20th year of the Lacombe Corn Maze.
Rachel Kraay, of the Kraay Family Farm, said the design won’t be revealed until early July, so the plants have time to grow taller and thicker.
“We planted about three weeks ago. We work with our neighbours. They help us seed the field. At the end of the year, we cut down the corn and they give it to their cows. It’s cattle corn,” Kraay said.
Opening day is July 19 at the 15-acre maze located west of Lacombe off Highway 12.
In 2018, a bucking horse and saddle bronc rider were carved into the corn in honour of the Canadian Finals Rodeo that was held in Red Deer for the first time last year.
She said two people are currently carving the design.
“We paint the paths first, with water-based spray paint, to make sure we’re putting them in the right spot. We follow behind with the rototiller.
“It’s a good, solid amount of work. Lots of walking and plotting.”
She said the 20th anniversary theme will also be reflected in the activities and games at the farm.
Usually, about 40,000 people visit the farm each year. Attendance is weather dependent, and hopefully, the weather will be better than last year, she said.
“We had a really hot, smoky August, and then it snowed in September. It wasn’t the best year, but that’s OK. That’s part of farming.”
Related:
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VIDEO: Kraay Family Farm opens for 2017
Kraay said after 20 years, people who visited the maze when they were young are now bringing their children.
As far as she knows, the Lacombe Corn Maze is the only corn maze in central Alberta and may be the oldest maze in the province.
“We call ourselves the original corn maze. We’re keeping the tradition alive.”
szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com
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