Amazing corn mazes, Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show highlight fall events

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 29/12

There’s a huge dragon-themed corn maze at Leaping Deer Adventure Farm and Market.

    (c) By Jim Fox

   “Hello, 911? We’re stuck in a corn maze . . . it’s really dark and we’ve got a three-week-old.”

   That was an actual call to police in Massachusetts from a young couple with two children who were rescued after failing to navigate their way through the maze as night fell.

   Amazing mazes

   What is called the “world's largest” is a series of four mazes at the Richardson farm in Spring Grove, Ill. covering 13 hectares (33 acres) of corn stalks.

   Guinness World Records confirmed the Kraay farm near Lacombe, Alberta has a maze with the largest QR matrix barcode covering two hectares. It was scanned by a smartphone from a helicopter flying over the maze.

   Other creative maze designs include a Harry Potter theme in York, England.

   Get lost

   Getting lost is half the fun! is the suggestion from the Belmont Corn Maze, southeast of London.

   The four-hectare corn maze has more than five kilometres of twists and turns and is on the Lunn farm.

   For more of a challenge, take a moonlight stroll through the maze or go on one of the haunted evenings.

   After Thanksgiving, half of the maze “becomes inhabited by countless witches, goblins and other spooks.”

   There are also many children’s activities and a mini maze “for those who would like a shorter version of the full size maze, without getting lost.”

   It features the logos of Fanshawe College and Habitat for Humanity Oxford-Elgin-Middlesex.

   The maze is at 46614 Crossley-Hunter Line, RR 1, Belmont. www.belmontcornmaze.net; (519) 644-1379

   There is also a three-hectare corn maze and mini maze at Kustermans Berry Farms’ “Get Lost London” and fall festival.

   The farm is at 23188 Springwell Rd. near Mount Brydges, west of London. www.berryblue.org/getlostlondon; (519) 264-9199

   Roaring good times

   - A huge four-hectare, dragon-themed corn maze is featured at Leaping Deer Adventure Farm and Market near Ingersoll, southwest of Woodstock.

There’s animal fun at Leaping Deer Adventure Farm and Market in Ingersoll with farm critters and a goat walk.

   There are many things to find that are hidden within the maze, said owner Julie Budd.

   “Besides searching for the dragon Blaze in the maze, the family fun continues with some new attractions including a goat walk and dragon’s nest,” she said.

   There are pig and duck races, a straw splash and farm animals, pumpkins, gourds, squash and corn stalks as well as the antics of hillbilly Billy Bob and Cuz Charlie with their pumpkin cannon.

   Leaping Deer is at 544212 Clarke Rd., Ingersoll. www.leapingdeer.com; (519) 485-4795

   - Murrel and Lori Brubacher are the hosts for the Waterloo County Corn Maze with its theme of Great Canadian Inventions in Crosshill, northwest of Kitchener-Waterloo.

The Waterloo County Corn Maze in Crosshill spells out “Canada” and has a theme of Great Canadian Inventions.

   “Come search the maze to discover some of the many useful things that Canadians have invented,” they say.

   There are moonlight strolls on Friday and Saturday nights, picnic facilities and children’s activities. 4960 William Hastings Line, Crosshill. www.waterloocornmaze.com; (519) 699-5356

   - The Norwich Optimist Corn Maze on Highway 59 just outside the community southeast of Woodstock has the design of a farm tractor.

   There is also a mini maze, petting zoo, duck races, playground, corn box and pumpkin bowling.

   Trick or Treat day is Oct. 27 with costume judging and a colouring contest for kids along with Haunted Corn Maze Nights on Oct. 20 and 27. http://norwichcornmaze.com; (519) 532-6600

   Hi, ho come to the fair

   The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in Simcoe has been around for 172 years, so it’s got to be good .

The Norfolk County Fair and Horse Show in Simcoe is marking its 172nd year as Ontario’s oldest agricultural fair. (Ontario Tourism photo)

    As Ontario’s oldest agricultural fair, it runs from Monday (Oct. 2) through Oct. 8 with all the associated fun and activities including horse competitions and farmers vying to have the largest pumpkin.

   Free grandstand shows include 50 Years of Motown’s Miracles, Vandellas and Contours on Oct. 2; Chantal Kreviazuk, Oct. 5; and Dean Brody, Oct. 6.

   There are monster trucks, tractor pulls and demolition derby along with daily celebrity chefs including Kevin Brauch, Anna Olson and the “Two Fairly Fat Guys.”

   It’s at 172 South Drive, Simcoe. www.norfolkcountyfair.com; (519) 426-7280

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

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