Amazing time planned for Cheadle corn maze

Time Contributor

 

The Cheadle Lions Corn Maze is getting bigger and better with each passing year. Finding your way through the maze can be exciting on its own, but add in flashlight nights or Spooktacular nights and it gets even better. 

“We decided to up it this year, the maze we’re going to hold it open until Oct. 21 which is later than last year,” said Marlene Risdon with the Cheadle Lions. 

Risdon said the volunteers didn’t start counting the number of people going through the maze until the second week of September, but from then until Sept. 29 there had been 1,200 people through the maze.

People who go through the maze have the chance to find 12 different checkpoints, and will get a treat for completing the maze. Last year poker chips were left in different locations. This year things have been done a little differently. 

“The main problem with (the poker chips) was we constantly had to have more staff going in to refill the bags, which caused less profit to be made for charity but it also caused problems with people taking the bags and throwing them other places,” said Brandon Sequillion, a Strathmore High School student and corn maze volunteer. 

“This year they’re punched into the ground on very large posts so they’re a lot more stationary, a lot less problems.” 

For the Thanksgiving weekend, Oct. 5 to 8 there will be the flashlight nights at the corn maze. Participants will be able to purchase a glow-stick, or bring a flashlight, and try to make their way through the maze. The maze will be open from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Oct. 5, 6, and 7 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 8. 

The Spooktacular nights are sure to be a thrill for any Halloween fans. Students from the Strathmore High School drama club will be hosting the night and dressing up. 

“A friend of mine is getting the estimates for what it will cost to do the makeup for a few zombie-looking people, she’s a really good makeup artist,” said Sequillion.

“I was also thinking perhaps (getting) a couple dressed up like scarecrows, some webs around in there, some jack-o-lanterns, a haunted house type of thing.” 

For a $10 admission, which includes a glow-stick, people will have a chance to get in the Halloween spirit a little early this year. The Spooktacular nights will be held from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 12, 13, 19 and 20th.  The maze is also open for its regular hours of 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday until Oct. 21.  

The maze is also available for birthday parties, clubs and groups. To find out more information call 403-660-3650 or 403-899-5252.