New Attractions Mesmerize at Maize Quest 2002

Experience the Exotic Labyrinth, a Celtic Design from Centuries Past
 

The Tortoise and Toad consists of a pattern of trails cut though wild flowers and tall grasses. It rewards maze goers with a chance to be a human sundial when they reach its center. Also making its first appearance this season is The Labyrinth, a unique installation that may be one of the most interesting and beautiful attractions McPherson has yet created at his growing theme park in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania.

“We created The Labyrinth based on an ancient Celtic design,” said McPherson. “The idea is to provide our guests with the opportunity to find tranquility and peace amid the more challenging and game-oriented mazes that fill the park.”

The Labyrinth consists of spiraling white-sand paths lined with smooth black river stones. At the center of the spiraling path sits an enormous 31,000-pound spire-like boulder that marks the epicenter of the maze. More than 10’ tall, the huge stone serves as the focal point and pulls maze walkers along the path toward its stoic beauty.

“Labyrinths have been around for thousands of years and are now popular at health spas around the country for their soothing and spiritual qualities,” said McPherson. “We thought it would be a nice contrast to the challenge of the cornfield maze adventure and activities of the park. It’s a momentary quiescence amid the challenge of six other mazes.”

McPherson includes the opportunity for gamesmanship in each of his mazes and The Labyrinth is no exception. Before entering its spiral path, visitors guess how far it is to the center and then count the number of steps it takes to arrive there. They can find the answer at the on-site gift shop and also calculate the length of their strides.

In addition to the completely new mazes for the 2002 season, Maze Master McPherson updated each of the existing mazes on the park property. The Bamboozle, the world’s first maze of living bamboo, includes five secret dragon lair rooms, each containing a different colored dragon. Upon entering the lair, maze questers find a box of chalk the color of the dragon. The goal is to collect all five dragon colors by putting a different finger in each box of chalk. The combination of colors will determine one’s fortune from a field of 120 possibilities that can be read at the gift shop.

The Rope Maze, which features over 1,600 feet of nautical ropes in paths that form a British tall ship, now includes a timed-event feature. As one maze challenger enters the maze, a friend stands outside and times him as he races to the ‘crow’s nest’ in the center. Upon reaching the goal, the challenger yells “Ahoy!” and the timer stops the clock. Depending on his speed, a maze challenger will be awarded a military rank ranging from Admiral (for a very fast time) to Seaman (for the average) to Pollywog (for the slowest).

Finally, The Ever-Changing Fence Maze, made of wooden gates that change patterns each week, includes individual letters hidden at points throughout the maze. When a maze challenger collects and unscrambles all the letters, he will learn the theme to next year’s Maze Quest!!

Of course, the ever-popular main attraction at the theme park is Maize Quest®, the cornfield maze adventure. Maize Quest® draws tens of thousands of visitors to a new design and theme each year. 2002’s theme, “The Outback Adventure,” features over 10,000 feet of pathways cut from over 300,000 living cornstalks into the shape of a giant kangaroo with a joey in its pouch. The Maize Quest® franchise began at the Maple Lawn Farms location in 1997 and expanded to 28 locations in 15 states and Canada in 2002.

The theme park is located in New Park, PA in southern York County. The 2002 season opens on Saturday, August 10 at 11:00am and runs through November 03. Hours are Friday and Saturday, 11:00am – 10:00pm and Sunday 1:00pm – 7:00pm. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for children 4 to 12. Groups may call for special discounts and scheduling. Call the Maize Quest hotline at 717.382.4878 x4.

Maple Lawn Farms is located 13 miles east of Interstate 83, PA Exit 4. Take Route 851 East for 10 miles through Stewartstown to New Park. Turn left on New Park Rd. Follow the signs 4 miles to Maize Quest® on the right. For more information, call the Maize Quest® hotline at 717.382.4878, x4. Visit www.cornmaze.com.

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