Tips for corn maze challenges on Long Island farms
Actors such as Greg Lane hide in the cornfield and pop out to surprise people working their way through the 8-acre corn maze at Harbes Western Farm in Jamesport. Credit: Randee Daddona
The thought of a corn maze stretching as far as the eye can see and stalks "as tall as an elephant's eye" can get the adventuresome juices flowing. It also can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers as they hunt for a way out.
"Most people don't realize how big 10 acres is," says Helen McKay of Helen's Pumpkin Farm in Aquebogue, which has a 10-acre maze.
"Think in terms of four football fields, end to end," says Harry Ludlow, whose family has an impressive 10-foot-tall, 8-acre corn maze with about 3 miles of trails at Fairview Farm at Mecox in Bridgehampton.
Says patron Phyllis Blankoph, 46, of Merrick, who spent more than 45 minutes with her family maneuvering through the Fairview Farm maze: "No matter how long you think you will be in there, you will be in there longer than you think you will."
PUZZLES AND TIPS
Most mega mazes offer a story line, tips and even texting if you need help. Story lines often advance visitors through the maze by having them find objects and characters that assure them they are going the right way. In some mazes, trivia questions are posted at various stops, but be careful: An incorrect answer sends you on a wrong turn.
"Our first maze in 2001 was really just a large cornfield, where you wandered around lost for a long time," says David Harbes, 28, who has been designing the Harbes Family Farms' multiple mazes for seven years. "The activities and actors contribute to the maze experience."
In the Harbes Western Farm Rough Riders 2014 maze, visitors must successfully complete tasks, such as mastering a lasso, to get clues that allow them to advance. Most skills involve battling or interacting with the Rough Riders.
"I didn't want any advice," says Sean Evans, 9, of Port Jefferson Station, who was at Harbes in Mattituck with his parents and another family. He acted as navigator, getting the group out in a relatively respectable 90-plus minutes. "I got to use my mind and think about how to go."
WHAT WAS THAT?
Your mind, and the maze, can play tricks on you. Mazes carry sound particularly well. Maze walkers often will hear other people but never see them. There's also the constant rustling of the corn as others make their way.
"I don't want to see other people," says Anita Kaminsky of Little Neck, who was taking a turn in the Fairveiw Farm maze with her daughter, son-in-law and grandsons. "Hearing other people in there with you is bad enough."
Ludlow says one of his maze design goals is that people on separate paths have no visual contact.
"Some people like it, but for others it becomes a mental and emotional thing," says Ludlow.
THINK COMFORT
Mazes can be deceptive in other ways. For example, a truly lush maze is nearly impervious to air circulation. Not a big deal on a cool fall day, but be careful on an unseasonably warm day.
"It gets hotter in the maze than it is outside the maze," says McKay, who advises wearing comfortable shoes and having a bottle of water.
THROW IN THE TOWEL
If you decide you want help getting out, most mazes offer the option of texting for clues or calling for someone to lead you out. Just don't call 911.
"A maze is not supposed to be a competitive thing," Ludlow says. "You're supposed to slow down and enjoy it, like you would nature. There's no right or wrong way to go through it. It is all about the journey."
Easy for him to say. He knows the way out.
FOR MORE
WHERE 69 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton (GPS lists it as Water Mill)
INFO 631-537-6154, nwsdy.li/fairvmecox
HOURS 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday-Sunday and Monday, Oct. 13; closes Nov. 9
ADMISSION $10, $8 ages 4-11, free 3 and younger
Harbes Western Farm Rough Riders 2014
WHERE 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (corn maze opens at 10 a.m.) 1223 Main Rd., Jamesport
INFO 631-722-2022, harbesfamilyfarm.com (see website for info on other Harbes mazes)
ADMISSION $5.95 Monday-Friday (no actors, smaller than weekend maze); $9.95 Saturday and Sunday for maze and frontier land, $12.95 if you add the hayride
WHERE 9 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, 1061 Union Ave. and Route 105, Aquebogue
INFO 631-779-2893, helensflowerfarm.com
ADMISSION $5, children must be accompanied by adults
