A-mazing time hosted by Cheadle Lions

Times Reporter

 

Strathmore’s Corn Maze, created by the Cheadle Lions Club, has been open since Aug. 1, and has already seen hundreds of people enjoy its twists and turns. From the air the maze, located just south of East Lake road, is designed to look like Mufasa and Simba, characters from Disney’s ‘The Lion King.’

“We have a little shelter shack there and you just go there, pay your five bucks and we’ll send you out into the corn,” said Kevin Gibbons, with the Cheadle Lions. 

“It’s kind of a geocaching type maze, there’s no beginning and no end per se. So we planted five bags of different coloured poker chips, you go hunt for the bags and bring one chip back from each bag. Then we take your chips, and in exchange we give you a ballot for a mystery box of stuff.”

There were 80 acres of corn planted as a part of the Cheadle Lions Food Grains project, but only a portion of it was turned into the maze. There is also a square perimeter around the maze that, for a donation, people can walk. The perimeter also helps ensure that if anyone were to get lost in the maze, they can find their way out. 

“If worst comes to worst, kind of walk gently through the corn. You’ll find yourself on that perimeter and can walk straight from there,” said Gibbons, though he doesn’t recommend going that route. 

There is fresh popcorn and cold water available for purchase at the shack before, or after, entering the maze. 

Gibbons said they are also hoping to run a time challenge with any groups, organizations or businesses that may be interested. A time challenge will see two or more teams compete to see who can find all the chips in an hour. 

Every Sunday the chips are brought out of the maze and then placed back in a different location by different staff members, so that every week it’s like being in a new maze. There’s still plenty of time to check out the corn maze if you haven’t been there yet.

“We’re hoping (to stay open) until Thanksgiving, it’s going to run right now probably every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Hours will vary so we’re just asking people to check our website for the weekly hours,” said Gibbons. 

Money raised from the maze will be donated to local charities. The charities have not been picked yet, Gibbons said there are charities they donate to every year such as the food bank, but if there is one out there looking for funding then they are always open to help the community out if possible. 

On Aug. 27 Gibbons says there will be a mini market set up at the entrance to the maze, and people will be able to purchase fresh fruit and vegetables.  To find out more information, or to find out the hours the maze is open go to www.cheadlelions.ca.