The Secord family has had a fantastic summer tending to their corn patch to build their annual corn maze. This year's theme? HOCKEY!
It's the 8th season for the Secord family, says creator/designer, Shelley Secord. "Every year we change our theme, and we switch up games and activities. I can't even believe it's our eighth year! We were trying the other evening to remember off the top of our heads what themes we've had over the past 7 years," says Secord.
One year Shelley designed the corn maze with their local fire department in mind. In 2020 the theme celebrated Canada's 150th. "Last year our theme was critters that like to eat our corn and there's lots of them! And so that one was about all the wild animals, as well as domesticated animals, that like to eat corn for their diet. So, yeah, there's been lots of different ones," she shares.
Stanley Cup in the Stalks: An a-MAZE-ing Tribute to Canada’s Game!
This year when visitors arrive at the corn maze, they’ll discover a full hockey-themed experience. And this year’s main attraction inside the maze is a hockey-themed crossword puzzle. As guests navigate through the winding paths, they’ll search for clues to complete the puzzle.
In addition to the maze, guests will find several activity huts scattered throughout the cornfield. Each hut features newly designed hockey-themed games, all of which are handmade by Shelley and Allen using recycled materials, giving the experience a creative and eco-friendly vibe.
One of the stand-out features this year is the outline of the Stanley Cup, which has been carefully cut into the cornfield—a challenging but impressive addition to the overall theme which transforms the winding paths into a celebration of our nation's favourite pastime.
Secord says to come up with each year's theme isn't that difficult as the ideas keep flowing throughout the year. "I usually try to have sort of a list, you know. As I come up with ideas, I write them in my little book, right? And so yeah, I usually choose a theme for the next year about this time. And then start researching and finding things that we can use for that kind of theme."
"And then during the winter I build the little activities, and Allen does that as well," she adds. "And so, Alan will come up with some ideas as well, but it's mostly just me ... me and my strange ideas!" she laughs.
So ... how DO you build a corn maze?
"Our corn maze is about 5 acres," explains Secord, "so it's a little smaller than some. But we do things a little differently in that our pathways are a little bit narrower. When you're going through our corn maze it very much feels like you're winding your way through a jungle or a forest kind of thing."
The corn maze is enjoyed by many until the snow flies, so the crop stays standing through the winter months. When spring arrives and the ground is dry enough, the Secords bale the corn for food for their farm animals. Then the land is prepared for the small seed drill to do its job.
"We go back and forth, left and right, diagonally, all that kind of stuff. So, we have a very high population of corn per foot," she explains. "And then once the corn starts to grow, we go in and we cut it."
"So, I usually have some wacky ideas about things that I want to cut into the corn. And I tell my husband, and he says, 'WHAT?!' We have the same conversation every year," she laughs. "It's like Groundhog Day!"
"He's like, 'How are we gonna' cut a Stanley Cup into the corn field?' And then we have a really vigorous discussion about it and then he figures out how we're going to do it!"
Up until this year, Allen used a brush cutter to clear the path through the young corn plants. but this year they've upgraded to a zero-turn lawn mower, making the job much easier.
"We start cutting the corn when it's not very tall. So, it's a lot easier that way and then you can have a view of the whole field. And then throughout the summer we go in and keep trimming it. Once the corn stalks get really tall, we go in with something like a hedge trimmer and trim back the leaves so that you're not getting whacked in the face with the with the corn leaves when you go through the maze."
However, the Secord farm features more than their corn maze. With farm animals always ready for a nose rub, and mini golf, lots of photo opps - and even two escape rooms - there is lots for folks to see and do!
Pass the puck and toss a quarter: Hockey fun for the whole family!
Families can look forward to plenty of hockey-inspired fun including escape games, puzzles, and activities. This season’s Quarter Toss game, a crowd favourite whose entire proceeds go to the Food for Thought Program, is also sporting a fun hockey themed makeover, thanks to the Almost New Store.
Teaser Alert—their special area for young visitors, the Ladybug Trail has a GIGANTIC new surprise!
The Secord Corn Maze opens Tuesday, September 2nd, with activities for all ages and copies of Secord’s books available on-site. For some fun photos, visit their Facebook page and for more information, visit their website www.secordcornmaze.com.