Maize Quest® 2002 Goes International with Two Canadian Locations

Totals 28 Locations, Yields Agri-tainment Success
 

“Turning a cornfield into a challenging game that turns a profit for the farmer makes Maize Quest® an exciting business,” said McPherson. “I’m proud of the fact that in presenting agriculture entertainment at its best, we provide the public with an interactive experience in the country at a farm.”

Building on the popularity and success of the first Maize Quest® in 1997, McPherson reached profitability in the following year. He then expanded the maze, added activities, and built facilities to provide for a steadily growing customer base that reached 44,000 in the fourth year.

Franchise operations began in 1999 with Lynd Fruit Farms in Columbus, Ohio in addition to McPherson’s flagship location in southern York County, Pennsylvania. Locations range from Oregon to Vermont and include Louisiana, Missouri, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and New Hampshire.

Maize Quest® provides each franchisee with a distinctive themed puzzle for a cornfield maze. Created annually by professional maze designer Dave Phillips, the design challenges visitors to find the way through the maze and out. Franchise support includes directions on how to carve out the design in the field plus instructions and tips on operating a successful Maize Quest® entertainment site. Each design reflects a theme with storyline, corresponding game sheets that provide educational value and a secret map revealed by Maize-o-Vision® glasses. The experience appeals to individuals and to family, scout and youth groups.

At McPherson’s flagship site, the theme “The Outback Adventure” plays out in the form of a giant kangaroo holding a small joey. Fun for both children and adults, the game shares history and lore of Australia, the island continent, and factoids about the country’s unique animals.

Maze patrons can request directional help by waving the signal flag given to each person at the start of the game. Staff members man an Observation Deck and stand inside the maze to keep an eye on the visitors and offer hints to the frustrated. Maize Quest® provides outdoor adventure in a safe environment. To round out the farm experience, additional features on site may include hayrides, campfires, pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, and farm animal petting zoos.

All franchise sites include special features. From McPherson’s 40-foot Observation Tower, visitors can view a complex of seven mazes, a Picnic Pavilion, Command Center with concessions and gift shop, plus Maze Mountain, a 60-foot tube slide. Mazes at the site include The Stone Labyrinth, The Tortoise & Toad (Meadow) Maze, The Giant Straw Bale Maze, The Bamboozle (living bamboo maze), The Ever-Changing Fence Maze and The Rope Maze.

For a complete list of Maize Quest® franchisees and locations, visit www.cornmaze.com.

Maize Quest at Maple Lawn Farms is a 10-acre cornfield maze adventure. Themed “Outback Adventure” it features the shapes of a giant kangaroo carved in over 300,000 living cornstalks. Maple Lawn Farms is located 13 miles east of Interstate 83, PA Exit 1. For more information, call the Maize Quest hotline at 866.WE.LOSE.U, option 4 or visit www.cornmaze.com.

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