By Kimberly Wallis
umpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes…oh my! Celebrate the joys of the autumn season at DixieMaze Farms Fall Festival, Sept. 24 – Oct. 31. The family-friendly event is so jam packed with activities that there is something for everyone to enjoy. “We like to think that we provide a safe, wholesome environment for families and friends,” said Kayla Billings, human resources manager of DixieMaze Farms. “We come from a big family and finding something fun and wholesome for the whole family as well as not breaking the bank can be hard and we can relate to that.”
What’s a country visit without a hayride? Take your choice of a hayride or the new Pumpkin Express for a scenic ride around the farm and out to the Pumpkin Patch before it closes at dark. During the Fall Festival, both run continuously on weekends and during the week as needed.
If you’ve ever wondered how quickly you could figure out the twists and turns of an intricate corn maze, now’s your chance to find out. “Every year we come up with a new design, whether it be sports related or pop culture related, we try to stay relevant,” Billings said. “This year our design is a QR code and we have a special surprise connected to that QR code.” Bring your walking shoes if you plan to outsmart the maze. It has about five miles of pathways to explore.
Weekend exclusives include gunny sack races, creating a masterpiece from marble and paint, making multi-color caterpillars or ghosts, disguising yourself in a holiday mask, and landing on a lucky number to win a prize. On Saturdays during the festival, you can gather around the campfire at 6:30 p.m., where a storyteller will entertain you. If you purchase s’mores beforehand, you can roast them while enjoying a spooky, child-appropriate story. Then grab snacks, drinks, and the perfect seat on a hay bale before an 8 p.m. movie showing.
Every weekend in October, pick and cheer for your favorite at the pig races. There are usually three heats a day but get there early because they are put to bed at dark. Pony rides are offered for small children under 65 pounds, and everyone is invited to stop by the horse stables to visit their rescue horse, Dax, and the pony, Little Squirt.
If you’re feeling competitive, the upgraded Corn Cannon Lookout lets you shoot tennis balls at targets. Friendly Fire Arena offers paintball guns with special barrels that shoot two-inch foam balls instead of paintballs. For those who are more adventurous — and weigh less than 170 pounds — strap into a special harness and jump off the platform at the Barn Swing. And if you’re feeling a little worn out from all the activities, take a little time to relax and lay in the Corn Bin. Spooky attractions are also on the schedule at the festival, including Murder Mystery Dinners, which are live interactive clue games you participate in while being served dinner.
For more information on DixieMaze Farms Fall Festival tickets and attractions, including the Haunted Attractions and Murder Mystery Dinners, visit dixiemaze.com.
Some activities require a signed waiver of liability, which is also available on the website.
