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Foothills corn maze opens Saturday

Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Randy Walker, co-owner of Foothills Corn Maze, navigates the new trail on Wednesday. The Burke County attraction opens to the public on Saturday.

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By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: September 23, 2009

MORGANTON - At first glance, the corn field at 4895 Morning Star Church Road isn't that remarkable or much different from other corn fields.

But appearances are deceiving because since June, Randy Walker and Greg McMurray have been plotting their third annual corn maze.

You'll have a chance to test your wits and navigational skills on Saturdays through Nov. 1. The maze is open from 10 a.m. to dusk on Saturdays and 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sundays.

And with Halloween falling on a Saturday this year, the maze will stay open until 10 p.m., McMurray said.

But how did they put together a giant maze in a field of corn?

Walker said in May his son came up with the design idea for this year's maze.

It's more challenging than previous years and a lot easier to get lost in, Walker said. In fact, he's still learning his way through the maze.

McMurray said planting the 6-acre field occurred the second week of June.

Walker said when the corn was about 2.5 feet tall, he used a GPS device to map out the design while McMurray followed behind with a mower.

McMurray said it took about 5 to 6 hours to cut out this year's design, which is a little longer than previous years.

On Wednesday, Walker and McMurray were still working on the site, as the rainfall this summer put them slightly behind schedule.

The pair are preparing more than just a maze. Signs within the maze pose trivia questions that help point participants in the right direction, Walker said.

And for the intrepid participants, there are six hidden mailboxes in the maze that contain clues, Walker said. Prizes are available for piecing the clues together correctly.

In addition to the maze, a hayride to a hidden pumpkin patch is available, Walker said. Participants can pick a pre-harvested pumpkin from the patch.

School groups, families and church groups are welcome to visit the maze, Walker said. In previous years the maze has attracted 2,400 to 2,600 visitors.