Maize Quest in York County, PA Celebrates Its Sixth Season,

Announces 28 Locations in 15 States and two in Canada,

Adds Seventh Maze On Site and Claims Nation’s First Maze Theme Park
 

Flagship Maize Quest Develops Nation’s First Maze Theme Park

In its sixth season, Maize Quest developed and introduced a Stone Labyrinth and The Tortoise and Toad meadow maze to bring the number of on-site mazes to a record-setting seven, more than at any single site in the United States. McPherson bills his flagship Maize Quest location as the nation’s first and only Maze Theme Park. The park also boasts the 60-foot long tunnel slide down the 40-foot high Maze Mountain.

Maize Quest Boasts Rich History

When he graduated from Penn State in 1996, Hugh McPherson sought a way to use his entrepreneurial talents and create his own niche business. A fifth-generation farmer, with a degree in Agriculture Economics, Hugh decided to return to the Maple Lawn Farms, the family operation, and make his own contribution. Familiar with the success of a few cornfield mazes operating elsewhere in the country, he convinced his father to rent him a cornfield and let him give it a try.

Developing a business plan for the project, Hugh coined the trademark name Maize Quest, the Cornfield Maze Adventure, added a storyline and educational elements and made the maze concept more interactive. Steps also included eliciting the sponsorship of his parents’ Maple Lawn Farms and gaining the full support of the entire McPherson family.

Dubbing himself The Maze Master, he launched Maize Quest in 1997 using the theme "The Tree of Life." Created by his sister Gretchen, a graduate of California Institute of the Arts, the intricate maze design embodied the branches and roots of a giant tree and used an agricultural theme, stories and symbolism. 7,000 visitors enjoyed the unique cornfield experience and the concept flourished in its first year.

Creative Themes and Marketing Drive Growth

The following year, Hugh approached Penn State University’s Landscape Architecture department to develop a maze design as a scholarship competition. A student from Binghamton, NY won with his dragon and castle design. Maize Quest 1998 "Challenge the Dragon!" attracted more than 31,000 people to its 8,000 feet of pathways, all visible from a 40-foot observation tower at the edge of the maze. Many visitors enjoyed hayrides or picnics and also visited the Maple Lawn Farms market for seasonal fruit grown in the orchards. Group tours began to flourish.

The1999 maze design merged the images of five animals into the shape of Africa for a maze that covered more than 10 acres. Over 36,000 people went on Safari! A new 7,000 sq ft. Maize Quest Command Center provided space for ticket sales, concessions and a mini farm museum. Lynd Fruit Farm in Ohio signed on as the first Maize Quest franchisee.

Maize Quest Hires Designer, Adds Features

In its fourth year, Maize Quest partnered with professional designer Dave Phillips, a native of York County and author of several maze design books. Phillips created ”Escape from Egypt” by incorporating Egyptian hieroglyphics and images into a design with over 10,000 feet of pathways without dead ends. In addition to the popular straw bale maze for kids, Maize Quest made several additions in response to visitors requests: The Ever-Changing Fence Maze, made of movable wooden walls; the Bamboozle®, a permanent maze designed in live bamboo plants; and a picnic pavilion, built with beams from an historic farm shed. The following year saw the addition of the Rope Maze and Maze Mountain, the 60-foot giant slide.

Maize Quest Expands to 28 Locations in 15 States Plus Two in Canada

Reflecting the success of the original Maize Quest and its franchisees in 2001, interest blossomed nationwide and Hugh doubled the number of locations for 2002. Tied together through email and the Maize Quest website, the farms share ideas and techniques but often use a design created to tie in with local history or their farm operation. In visits to each operation, Hugh offers technical expertise on planting the corn and cutting of the design. Hugh and his staff at Maize Quest Central also supply sales and marketing, advertising and public relations support. After the season ends in the fall, he plans the third annual Maze Master Summit to bring together representatives from each of the farms to celebrate, evaluate and strategize for the future.

Maize Quest is located at Maple Lawn Farms, 15 miles south of York in Central Pennsylvania, 13 miles east of Interstate 83, PA Exit 1. From I-83, take Route 851 East to New Park and follow the Maize Quest signs. For more information, call the Maize Quest hotline at 717-382-4878, x 4 or visit www.cornmaze.com.

###