Hanes Corn Maze going majestic this year

You can get lost in a corn maze dedicated to the late Queen Elizabeth at the Hanes farmstead in Dundas this year.

And, perhaps surprisingly, the theme came about months before the monarch's death.

The reason we chose the theme this year is because it was actually her Jubilee Anniversary," said Seamus Connors, director of sales and marketing at the Hanes Corn Maze.

Now, the maze meant to celebrate the Queen's record-setting 70 years on the throne also acts as a tribute to her legacy.

The 20-acre maze, with its 10-foot corn-stock walls, is a human-sized puzzle and an annual tradition. The farm has hosted visitors between late-August and mid-November for the past 23 years.

The largest corn maze in Canada, it takes about two hours to complete, depending on one's skill level and the time of day, and year, of the visit. For instance, the corn maze is thicker at the beginning of the season when the stocks are still green, and it dries out later in the season.

Farm workers decide the theme in early spring, and Connors said a decision could be based on anything from a charity partnership (in 2018 it honoured the Tim Hortons Children's Foundation) to what owners Shelley and Kevin Hanes think would be fun for visitors. Last year, the theme was simply that - fun."

Once it's decided, the Hanes work with U.S.-based partner, The Maize, to help plant the corn buds in the intricate designs with the help of a GPS system.

The process has changed over the years," said Connors. Originally, the owners would sit down with graph paper and draw out their ideas. Then they would plant the maze, double planted north, south and east, west to make the corn stock extra thick ... and maintain the paths throughout the summer."

The farmers then work all summer to keep the corn thick and healthy as the maze season approaches starting at the end of August.

Throughout the corn maze season, about 20,000 to 30,000 people visit the farm, said Connors. During pandemic restrictions, which forced gatherings outside, the numbers were even higher.

This season, the crowds are better still, even though COVID restrictions have lifted. Conners said this year's attendance is expected to outpace last year.

Ritika Dubey is a reporter at The Spectator. rdubey@thespec.com

How to go

The place: Hanes Corn Maze, 1001 Hwy. 5, Dundas, 905-628-5280

The hours: Open until Nov. 11, weather-dependent, during the following hours: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The price: Ranges from $11 for kids to $18.50 for adults, and can be purchased on-site or in advance through thehanescornmaze.com