4 minute read
Agri-culture
by Sean McCarthy
If you’re searching for a unique and memorable outdoor experience this fall, there is an opportunity you’ll likely find intriguing: the wonder of Escobar Farm’s Corn Maze in Portsmouth.
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With the cool and crisp autumn air and the rustic surroundings of a classic New England dairy farm, you and your friends and family can enjoy the extraordinary adventures at this Aquidneck Island location.
An eight-acre labyrinth with two miles of trails offers a fun, fantastic excursion for guests of all ages. Roam throughout the winding trails while surrounded by steep walls of corn as you seek to solve the puzzle. Comprised of two distinct mazes, visitors can spend more than an hour on their journey.
In its 23rd year, this fall’s version of the Corn Maze has the theme “Field of Dreams.” The theme was chosen because in recent years guests have claimed that their wishes came true after casting them while inside the maze.
And ultimately everyone will complete their voyage, as “Corn Cops” are available to assist anyone who wishes to be guided to the exit.
“Make a wish!” encourages Stuart MacNaught, Director of the Corn Maze for the last three years. “Every year we have people who return to us to make a wish in the maze. They claim that they always come true.”
Each year the Corn Maze includes a special theme and a unique design. Past themes have included sports teams, the military, animals, and farm-related concepts, among others.
“One of the things that people really love about the maze, especially during COVID, is the fact that it’s a healthy, outdoor activity,” MacNaught says. “It’s a totally natural experience. You can take a walk for a few miles on a beautiful day in a beautiful setting. A lot of people enjoy the challenge of it and doing it as succinctly as possible. You hope that you’re lucky and smart and you can figure it out.”
Fall fun
But Escobar Farm offers more than their maze. With the opportunities for Hay Rides and tours through their farm, they also welcome picnics with the tables and spaces they provide.
They offer soda, iced tea, water and lemonade, in addition to snacks and candy for purchase.
“You can come for an hour or you can make a day of it,” MacNaught says. “The sunsets are always beautiful and the setting is picturesque. We get a lot of people who return each year, whether it’s a couple on a date, a family outing or a group of school kids. It can become a tradition.”
The corn maze is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, beginning on September 2 and continuing until the first weekend in November. The first weekend will also include Monday, September 5, which is Labor Day.
Beginning on October 1, Escobar Farm will offer a Pumpkin Patch with gourds and pumpkins which can be chosen and bought on-site.
The corn maze got its beginning when Escobar Farm was in search of a revenue-producing event 24 years ago. The trails are cut each June by a company from Utah, when the corn stalks are only a few feet high. By the time the fall arrives the corn can range from six to 12 feet in height. Escobar was started in 1938 by Tony Escobar and his wife Mary. Today it is owned by their son Louis Escobar and wife Jane.
“With the disappearance of many community farms over the years, they were trying to make a living in different ways,” MacNaught says of the Escobar Farm. “This event has helped keep the farm running. It’s a perfect agri-tourism idea. It’s a win-win opportunity for the farm and for visitors.”
Hours for the Corn Maze are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for children. A visit to the Escobar Farm webpage will provide a dollar-off coupon by providing your email address. The website is escobarfarm.com. MacNaught suggests a Friday visit for those who are looking for a less busy experience. Dogs are welcome but they must be on a leash. Escobar Farm is located at 255 Middle Road in Portsmouth, minutes from Route 24 They can be reached by phone at (401) 864-1064. Visit escobarfarm.com for more info.
