Annual corn maze takes form of a road map to The County

By Jen Lynds
BDN Staff

CARIBOU, Maine — Every weekend there is something going on in Aroostook County, Mark Goughan said Friday afternoon.

This weekend, Caribou is celebrating its 150th anniversary and Houlton is lauding its agricultural heritage during Potato Feast Days.

With that in mind, Goughan decided that the theme for Goughan’s Berry Farm’s fifth annual corn maze should highlight The County. Visitors can come to the farm for opening day today to check out the maze that boasts the theme, “All Roads Lead to Aroostook County.”

“We have a lot to offer in this region and we wanted to show that,” said Goughan. “This is a fun way to do it.”

This year’s maze is etched in 6 acres of corn on the family-run farm on Route 161, the Fort Fairfield Road. Goughan and his farm crew have crafted the maze to look like a map of the state with major routes running through it. Aroostook County is a massive landmark in the creation, the craggy coast is well-marked, and Maine’s islands are represented as well.

Inside the maze, adventurers can play one of three games. One will have them find items and locations such as blueberry fields, sawmills and lighthouses in appropriate regions of the maze. Another game will quiz them on state trivia, and the third game will offer brain teasers about state geography.

“It will take you at least a half-hour or 45 minutes,” Goughan said Friday. “But you could stay in there three hours if you wanted to. It is up to you. You can play one of the games or all of them.”

The maze begins in Kittery and ends when travelers make it through The County.

Goughan and his wife, Gloria, started the farm in 1976 and grow all kinds of crops, including potatoes and strawberries. Hayrides, pumpkin patch treks and other seasonal events also are popular, as well as the farm’s homemade ice cream.

The corn mazes at the farm have always been a draw. The inaugural maze was a moose, and an eagle was created two years later.

Spuddy, the lovable character who represents the Maine Potato Board, also has been featured.

“We have always had big crowds at the maze and people seem to love it,” Goughan said. “It really is a great activity for families.”

The maze is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day until Oct. 31. The cost is $7 per person and children under 5 get in free.

Everyone who wins a game gets a free ice cream cone.

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That's actually pretty cool in an applie pie sorta way.  

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No thanks. Me and the dude "he who walks behind the rows" dont mesh well

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This guy?


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a Maine maize maze in Maine

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This guy?


http://assumecrashpositions.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/malachi.jpg