 |
| Contributed photo This year’s theme of annual corn maze at Goughan’s Farm is “Let Freedom Ring.” |
Officials with Goughan’s Berry Farm recently announced the featured design of their annual corn maze, and the 2012 theme is as patriotic as they come.
This year’s maze features a depiction of the Liberty Bell with a freedom eagle on top; titled “Let Freedom Ring,” the maze’s theme is a tribute to the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
This is the eighth year that Gloria and Mark Goughan of Goughan’s Berry Farm, have created a corn maze and invited the general public to navigate their way through the carefully designed cornstalk paths.
The Goughans encourage all ages to try their luck at the many twists and turns of the six-acre corn maze and enjoy the end of summer/ beginning of fall.
Spanning the seasons, the maze is first planted in the spring; Farmer Mark plants the corn both directions so that future maze participants can’t easily peer down a row to find a quick way out.
After fertilizing and other normal cultivating practices throughout the season, Farmer Mark cuts a design into the field when the corn is about knee high — now, the corn is eight feet tall.
Attention to detail isn’t exclusive to framing the maze; Farmer Gloria has spent the last three weeks designing and painting the different signs needed to navigate the corn attraction.
There are four games available at different points throughout the maze, each with a Constitutional and Bill of Rights theme.
The Goughans joked that a free farm-made ice cream cone is waiting for those who finish the maze alive and complete one of the games.
They estimate it takes about 45 minutes to an hour to get through the maze, and longer if participants want to complete all four games.
The Goughans say that this year’s political science theme of “Let Freedom Ring” is in keeping with the coming presidential election, but the patriotic idea was first placed on paper two years ago.
“Regardless of political opinions — revisiting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, one understands why our country is the best in the world,” Farmer Mark said. “ ‘A little education with a lot of fun’ is what Gloria and I hope to create and over the years it has been successful.”
The Goughan’s view their maze as an agri-tourism tool by which small family farms can help market their agricultural products and allows for the public to enjoy the way of life on the farm, and noted that nothing kicks off the fall season like a corn maze.
“It’s a great place for children and families of all ages to enjoy a fall adventure,” Farmer Mark said. “The farm offers a variety of products and attractions, including fruits, vegetables, pick-your-own pumpkins, Christmas trees, hayrides, animal barn and homemade ice cream.”
Gloria and Mark Goughan, with their three daughters and family members, have been in business since 1978.
The Goughan’s “Let Freedom Ring” corn maze will be open beginning August 31 until Halloween. The maze is open for adventurers from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. It is located on Rt. 161 south of Caribou on the Fort Fairfield Road. For more information, please call Gloria or Mark Goughan at 498-6565.
