NEAR CRAIG — Autumn is fast approaching, and for many Montanans, a trip to a corn maze is a regular part of their fall festivities.
But for people in the Great Falls area, that tradition will have to wait a year.
This year, the Applestem Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch is moving locations - from Vaughn to the Craig area.
One of the maze owners, Loni Blackman, explained why they move: “It's a lot of work running two different locations because we have the farm here and then we had the corn maze and a farm there. And that's an hour's drive one-way direction, so it was just too much work."
So now, the former Vaughn staple is planted in Craig.
“We're halfway between Helena and Great Falls, versus where we were at, our main population base was Great Falls. So here, now, we'd be between two population bases,” Blackman said.
And the new maze is already growing more than just crops.
The maze owners hope to bring in several new attractions, like an updated ‘Slide Mountain’, cow trains with a view of the river, and maybe even some food vendors in the coming years.
Now that the maze is positioned near utility poles, powering its attractions will be much easier. The new location will also have less interference from natural elements.
“Even though right now it's a little breezy, we don't get the wind like it does at Vaughn. Another thing I'm exceptionally excited about - no mud!...Vaughn when it rained it was actually a safety issue and that's why we'd have to close down. And we won't have that here,” Blackman said.
And in just a year, the new Applestem Corn Maze will be ready for harvest.
(1st REPORT, AUGUST 21, 2019) Applestem Corn Maize and Pumpkin Patch will be closed for the 2019 season.
The corn maize and sheep farm recently moved to Craig from Vaughn and the growing season was difficult.
In a social media post, they explained that last winter was not conducive for planting corn. The corn was planted late, and what did grow was eaten by birds.
The owners planted triticale and sorghum to replace the corn as both grow fast, but the plants will not be waist high by September 21, the corn maize's projected opening day.
Applestem has postponed its grand opening in Craig until next year.
"While we are disappointed that we cannot share our home with you this year, postponing the 15th season allows us to concentrate on moving and establishing permanent structures. By doing this we can guarantee, the fun-filled experience that we strive to achieve. Being in Craig, allows us to do more that just the corn maize and that is what we plan to do."
Staff is planning to host festivals next year before opening for the 2020 season.
