Corn mazes usher in fall in Hernando
Though Florida residents can’t always tell by the weather that fall has arrived, there is at least one sure indicator that the season is here: corn mazes.
Harvest time fun is what memories are made of, said Dimetri and Christina Falakos, owners of Harvestmoon Farm in Masaryktown. And they hope they can help make memories for visitors to their farm.
Harvestmoon Farm is a secluded enclave tucked away at the end of a tree-canopied lane about a half a mile from the junction of County Line Road and U.S. 41. It was the destination of hundreds of visitors last year who experienced traditional harvest time fun with a corn maze, pumpkin patch and lots of children’s activities.
“It was a great success and so we have introduced more activities for our visitors to enjoy this year,” Dimetri Falakos said.
With the aid of a specialist company, the couple has custom-designed a five-acre corn maze and, in June, workers started clearing the corn fields with a tractor and tilling the soil to create the paths.
“It’s actually three mazes in one,” said Dimetri Falakos. “We wanted to make it as amazing and complex as possible so it’s fun for kids and adults alike.”
The baffling and bewildering design spans more than 3 miles of twists and turns. The maze is carved into stalks of corn that are 6 feet tall and higher. There are surprises around every corner, including the dreaded dead-ends. A lookout tower in the center of the maze affords spectators a bird’s-eye view.
“We also have a late-night flashlight maze tour planned, but that’s by reservation only,” Dimetri Falakos said.
Spookley, a children’s favorite, returns again to the farm. Spookley is a square pumpkin who lives in a round pumpkin patch world and is the “Official spokes-pumpkin” for Bullying Prevention. October is National Bullying Prevention Month and Spookley is on a mission to help children be tolerant and kind.
Harvestmoon Farm also has a pumpkin patch, inflatable horse races, tether ball, a kiddie maze, cow train rides, a tire mountain and a petting zoo that includes rabbits, goats, a llama, pot-bellied pig, Hercules the donkey and miniature horses. New this year is the jumping pillow — a 70-foot-long inflatable air pillow that is about 3 feet high — for children of all ages.
For the Falakos, organizing the festival and maintaining the farm is a group effort. The whole family, including two young sons were in the throes of setting up last week.
“There’s plenty to do before we open,” said Christina Falakos. “We have to set the pumpkins out, put corn in the corn box, and fix a few things yet, but we’ll be ready.
“We are hoping we can give our community the opportunity to make memories and establish family traditions.”
Email Hernando Today correspondent Sue Quigley at [email protected].
If you go
What: Harvestmoon Farm
Where: 15990 Stur St., in Masaryktown.
When: Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Sept. 27 through to Nov. 2
Cost: $11.95 plus tax for ages 3 and up. Children 2 and under are free.
For info: (800) 373-4811 or to reserve flash-light tour. All activities are weather permitting.
Corn trivia
♦ One ear of corn — also called maize — averages 800 kernels in 16 rows. ♦ A pound of corn consists of approximately 1,300 kernels.
♦ It takes 25 gallons of water to grow one ear of corn.
♦ The U.S. produces about 40 percent of the world’s corn.
♦ Corn is grown on every continent except Antarctica. ♦ Corn is a major component in many food items like cereals, peanut butter, snack foods and soft drinks. ♦ One bushel of corn (56 pounds) will sweeten more than 400 cans of Coca-Cola. ♦ Americans consume 16.5 billion quarts of popped popcorn annually, more than anyone else in the world.
