August 12, 2011
Claire Lynch
Colebrook News and Sentinel
Plans are growing as fast as the corn for the first annual Coös County Corn Maze and Harvest Festival, set for September 17 through October 23 at the former Coös County Farm in Stewartstown.
David and Jenny Santamaria of Colebrook introduced the event earlier this spring, hoping to draw the area together around farming and inject new life into the North Country's farming history and continued capability with agritourism. "As a farmer and a farmer's daughter, I don't want to see any more [farms] go away," Jenny said. "That was my goal moving back to Colebrook, so maybe I can help one in Stewartstown."
The maze was created and planted by the MAiZE Company of American Fork, Utah, with some help: Charlie White planted the seed; Arthur Beauchemin provided a tractor; and Bob Lemieux loaned his planter. The maze is cut in the image of a farmer driving a tractor, with a load of pumpkins and a scarecrow behind him on a wagon.
The first year's theme recognizes the county farm, said David, and the 12-acre expanse includes the eight-acre large section plus four more acres with smaller mazes for children, which are newly planted. A bridge is also planned to go between the corn tractor and wagon, so that people can rise above the corn--which could grow to ten feet--to see their location and plot their further adventure.
On September 16 the maze will open for a private showing to sponsors and the advisory committee, an ad hoc group composed of community leaders, law enforcement, farmers and students, who are all, in some way, connected to farming. The maze will open to the public on Saturday, September 17, and many farm-related vendors will participate throughout the six weeks.
The maze is available on the weekdays for special events, student field trips and children's parties, David said, and catering is available for everything from fancy fare to pizza. On Saturday, October 8 there will be a public pig roast with fireworks at dusk, and they are also looking forward to a clam and lobster bake to be held on Saturday, October 15. Other activities include a cornball volleyball tournament, a hay pyramid for climbing, helicopter rides, sweet corn for picking and eating, farm games and musical talent.
The maze is scheduled to be open on Fridays from 2 to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m., and on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is still space for additional vendors, who may contact director of advertising and marketing Casey Roy, at 237-9876 or santastreefarm@aol. com.
The Santamarias anticipate that a large number of people will want to take on the challenge of the maze, as there will not be any other like it for about a hundred miles. More information on the MAiZE Company can be found at www.cornfieldmaze.com
Donna Marshall took a helicopter ride
on Stewartstown Day and captured a bird's-eye view of the new corn maze at
the former county farm. A whole series of festival events are planned for
weekends this fall, and the
maze is available for school field trips and agri-tours.