MENTONE – Kosciusko County’s one-and-only corn maze opens today and Saturday, taking visitors through unique twists and turns of a sixth-generation family farm. The Corn Maze at Goshert Farms, an agri-tourism destination southwest of Mentone, offers a light-hearted, playful experience for all ages, according to a provided press release. As visitors feel their way through the 4.5-acre corn maze, they will be guided by farm-themed trivia questions. Correct answers will guide visitors along the correct path, while wrong answers will lead them to a dead end. But, at Goshert Farms, there are no winners or losers, just the “corny” experience of walking through rows of tall corn while learning about agricultural trivia. Even those who are unable to solve the maze at first try can easily find their way out with the help of those along the way. Farm owners Kerry and Kim Goshert have been raising crops and livestock, and making soybean candles, on this centennial farm for over 15 years. The farm has been in family hands for 136 years and it remains a working farm. Earlier this summer, the Gosherts received the Hoosier Homestead Award from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture. “This new venture adds to our family’s heritage and we are proud that we are able to share it with the public,” said Kerry Goshert. For the past several years, the Gosherts have hosted hundreds of visitors each summer for tours of their candle making business, known as K&K Soy Candles. Through that experience, the Gosherts saw the potential of agri-tourism, and decided to launch a corn maze this year to further their efforts in that area. The Goshert corn maze, located three miles south and two miles west of Mentone, is the first of its kind in Kosciusko County, the release states. Creating the maze was a two-person job. On a hot day in July, Kerry and a friend, Lucas, cut paths in the cornfield, hacking knee-high corn with machetes. This low-tech method of carving corn mazes may seem a bit crude, but Kerry is quoted in the press release as stating, “He has the satisfaction of having created a maze that can’t be duplicated by anyone else”. "Since we are small farmers, we need to make the most of each and every acre, while maintaining our heritage in a unique way, for future generations. We hope the corn maze will provide a fun way for people to learn about agriculture,” said Kerry. In addition to a maze, the attraction includes a farm animal petting zoo and a corn pit and straw maze for younger children, pumpkins, gourds, Mums, Indian corn and more. The corn maze will be open every Friday and Saturday through Nov. 1, with opening day today from 4 to 8 p.m. Hours are Friday 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Weekday hours are available for school tours or groups by appointment only. Admission is $6 per person and children 3 and under free. Special promotions have been scheduled throughout the fall. On opening weekend, all active and retired military personnel will be admitted free with proof of service. Another special weekend is 4-H and FFA Night Oct. 10 and 11. Wear your 4-H club shirt or FFA jacket and you can enter the maze for half price on that weekend. On Oct. 31, every child through age 10 and wearing a costume will receive Halloween treats. The final promotion occurs Nov. 1, the final night of the season. Bring a non-perishable canned food item, which will be donate to Combined Community Services, and get in for half price. A donation can will be available also to benefit CCS. For more information on the corn maze at Goshert Farms, call 574-353-7398.
