2 weeks Ago By LACEY MIDDLESTEAD For the Independent Record
Leaves – still busy morphing to shades of red, orange and yellow – dot the rural landscape. In the nearby field rows upon rows of corn stalks stand at attention – their tassels and leaves rustling in the breeze. With the gentle click of doors, adults and children pile out of cars donning boots, sunglasses and plaid scarves on their way to a day of fun.
Any self-respecting fall bucket list in Montana should certainly include getting lost in a corn maze. Throw in a pumpkin patch, hayrides and a farm animal or two and you've got the quintessential fall day. This October, embrace some fall farm fun with a trip to Edgewater Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch near Townsend now through Oct.
26 or Applestem Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch near Craig through Oct. 27. "It gets to be an annual tradition to go enjoy fall and enjoy family in a pretty setting there on the river," said Scott Blackman, the "director of fun" at Applestem Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch.
It was Blackman's passion for agriculture that first compelled him to start Applestem 19 years ago. "We were feeding cattle and trying to promote agriculture because people can sometimes turn their noses up at agriculture and it gets a bad rap," Blackman said. "We wanted to put our best foot forward and show people that it's actually a good life and can be fun.
" What started as a simple idea has grown into nearly two decades of helping families build memories with upward of 10,000 visitors annually. Each year, Applestem's 10-acre corn maze is reimagined with a new design. This year's design has both historical and personal ties to the Blackman family.
In honor of what would have been author Ernest Hemingway's 125th birthday, the maze has assumed the iconic face of Hemingway himself. "We've been friends of the Hemingway family for about 30 years," said Blackman, who befriended and used to regularly go hunting with the famous author's son, Pat. .
WHAT: Applestem Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch WHEN: Through Oct. 27. Open Fridays from 5-9 p.
m., Saturdays from 1-9 p.m.
and Sundays from 1-6 p.m. WHERE: 2987 Craig Frontage Road near Craig COST: Tickets are $11 for ages 5 and up; children ages 4 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at Contact: 406-235-4227 Info: "When I heard it was his 125th birthday I asked his son if we could honor the family in that and he was almost in tears that someone would do that," Blackman said. In addition to the corn maze are a variety of other family friendly activities to keep visitors of all ages busy and having fun. From a smaller hay maze and human fuse ball game to rubber duck races and tube slides, there is fun on every inch of the property.
Animal lovers can delight in an on-site petting zoo featuring a pig, sheep, goats, chickens, turkey and Wynona, a red Highlander cow that has a horn spread of 4 feet. Blackman shared that their newest addition to the property this year is a restored fur trapper's cabin, which is provided by the Montana Trapper's Association (MTA). "It's an authentic, old-fashioned cabin that's all been restored inside," said Blackman.
"It's got traps, furs and different things of what you would have seen in the 1600s through the 1800s." Blackman, a previous director of the MTA, explained that the organization approached him about hosting the cabin on the Applestem property as an educational opportunity. "They thought this would be a good place so a lot of people could enjoy it and learn from it," said Blackman.
Regardless of the activity visitors partake in while visiting Applestem, it is their faces that motivate Blackman to keep his corn maze going year after year. "The biggest enjoyment is seeing their smiles and the good times families have together," Blackman said. A second corn maze opportunity lies just east of Helena between Toston and Townsend at Edgewater Farms and Pumpkin Patch.
Started in 2018 by Cory and Nancy Davis and Brandon and Janelle Nygard, Edgewater Farms is well versed in delivering fall family fun. While the Davises had previously operated a corn maze near Townsend years ago, they had been out of the fall entertainment scene for a while. It was the arrival of the Nygards to Townsend and their dream of opening a corn maze that motivated Cory and Nancy to get back into it.
Six years ago, the couples partnered to bring the popular festivity back to the community. While the Nygards eventually chose to leave Townsend, Cory and Nancy decided to keep the corn maze going. This year their daughter, Ellen Davis, is in charge of running the show as Cory and Nancy are currently serving a mission for their church.
As to why the family continues putting in the effort year after year of operating the corn maze, the answer is rather simple. "We are farmers but by this time of year we don't have much farming left so it gives us something else to do and the community likes it," Davis said. Edgewater Farms features a 12-acre corn maze for visitors to wander through.
Each year, the maze boasts a new intricate design. This fall, Davis was the creative mind behind its distinctive pattern featuring bitterroot flowers, a moose, bear and a "406" cut into the tall corn stalks. "I wanted to do a Montana design," said Davis.
Similar to Applestem, Edgewater Farms offers much more than just a corn maze. With hayrides, a corn pit, a jumbo jumper and a "destruction zone" where guests can take air powered cannons and shoot cobs of corn, apples or potatoes at a variety of targets, there is no shortage of fun to be had. There are also several upcoming theme days at Edgewater featuring additional activities.
Celebrate Montana Day on Oct. 12 with a treasure hunt and "old time" photos. Dinosaurs take over the property on Oct.
19 with Dino Day featuring a dino dig in the corn pit. On Oct. 26, satisfy your sweet tooth at the Candy Harvest when hundreds of pounds of candy are launched from a combine harvester into the meadow for visitors to dash and grab.
As a special treat for families hoping to preserve their corn maze experience, Edgewater has recruited the help of a photographer this year. Desiree Burgess, who owns Desiree Marie Photography in Helena, will be on-site at Edgewater Farms on both Oct. 12 and Oct.
19 to snap all the smiles, laughter and pumpkin-filled moments. On Oct. 12 from 4:306:30 p.
m. Burgess will be shooting Western-themed photos followed by traditional fall-themed photos on Oct. 19 from 4:156:15 p.
m. "I'd describe the atmosphere at Edgewater as 'busy bliss,'" said Burgess. "The children seem so free, as if the farm is a gigantic playground just for them, and you can see it in their faces.
" "What I love most about taking photos at the corn maze is how it has become a cherished tradition, not just for my business, but for the families who return year after year to capture these special moments with me," continued Burgess. "I hope people take away everlasting memories and want to come back next year and create even more memories with their family and friends," Blackman said. "I hope people come and have fun," Davis said.
"I hope it's an affordable fun for people." Lacey Middlestead is a Carroll College graduate and has been freelance writing for the past 14 years for the Independent Record, various regional publications, and local marketing agencies. Contact her at .
If you go ...
WHAT: Edgewater Farms Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch WHEN: Through Oct. 26. Open Fridays from 4-9 p.
m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.
– 9 p.m. WHERE: 8410 Hwy 287 – about six miles south of Townsend on the west side of the highway COST: Tickets are $10 for ages 4 and up; children ages 3 and under are free.
Tickets can be purchased online at CONTACT: 406-266-1036 Info:.
