Hawes releases clues to corn maze and unveils attractions

MAKING SCREAMS COME TRUE: Greg Hawes describes why this tunnel will be among the scarier attractions at the Haunted Corn Field on Hawes Farm this year.

The corn maze at Hawes Farm has assumed a number of designs in previous years, including Johnny Cash, Scooby-Doo and a fire engine. Without divulging this year's design, farm owner Greg Hawes gave three clues: "It's an ancient theme; it's about another country; and a neat song talks about it."

Hawes Farms, at the corner of Dersch and Deschutes roads, is in its fifth year of providing its brand of agri-tainment to Shasta County each autumn. Last year Hawes said 25,000 people passed through the gates.

Many of the attractions open Sept. 26, including the 8.5-acre corn maze, children's play area, goat walk, train rides, pig races, large bounce house, hay bale pyramid, corn cannons and movie screen.

New attractions this year includes a zip line, beach volleyball court alongside a shaded pavilion with seating, pony rides, and stage coach rides.

The pumpkin patch, which contains 50 varieties of pumpkins at 29 cents per pound, would be ready Oct. 3.

The corn maze will close at about 7 p.m. each night, Hawes said, because he was concerned about the safety of young children in the maze at night. There was also the safety concern involving youths throwing ears of corn at each other, he said.

Screams by night

The loosing of ears at fellow youths was only part of the inspiration behind the Haunted Corn Maze, a 2.5-acre corn field decked in Halloween spirit. Wouldn't there be ears of corn in this cornfield?

"Yes, but the kids won't be hanging out," Hawes said. "They'll be too busy running and screaming."

Hawes cackled while describing some of the machinations custom-built for the haunted maze, which is restricted from youths under 13 years old. One such contraption leads South County thrill-seekers crawling through a dark, tomb-like enclosure, following a rope in the dark, Hawes said.

Both the Haunted Corn Maze and Dread Shed, the shed similar to last year's Haunted Barn, will open Oct. 3 and continue on Fridays and Saturdays.

Actors from Anderson New Technology High School and Riverfront Playhouse volunteered to act the part of the ghouls at Hawes Farm.

For ticket information and hours of operation at Hawes Farm, see their Web page at hawesfarms.com or call 365-8488.