Corn Maze is Fun for the Entire Family

By Karen Appold

If you drive past the cornfield on Township Line and Rittenhouse roads in Upper Providence Township, you’ll see a tall, healthy crop of corn. But if you follow the signs to corn maze parking, prepare yourself for a 2-hour adventure.

Although you can’t see it from the road, mapped out in a 7-acre parcel is a 2½ mile maze featuring characters from SpongeBob SquarePants. Jeff Peiffer, of Douglassville, who operates the corn maze, has been creating the “corn-fusing” mazes for 7 years on a rented cornfield.

While working as executive director of a Christian non-profit organization, some of Peiffer’s friends suggested that the organization do a corn maze for a fundraiser. The organization didn’t want to take the financial risk, so Peiffer and his wife Geralyn decided to create one on their own.

Several years later, Peiffer left his job at the non-profit and committed himself full-time to creating corn mazes.

Making a corn maze begins long before the corn starts to grow. First, a design must be determined. Peiffer chose a SpongeBob and friends theme this year because his 9-year-old son is a fan. Peiffer contracted with Nickelodeon to use the characters. In past years, the corn maze has been a map outlining each state in the United States , the Statue of Liberty and a barn.

In May, survey equipment is used to map out the maze. Markers with yellow ribbon strung between them outline the design. Once the corn has grown, Peiffer and his employees pull out the stalks by hand, creating 5-foot wide pathways.

The maze opens during the first week of September and operates through November, when the corn is harvested.

A game is incorporated into the maze. When you begin, take a game sheet and flag and punch a time clock. While wondering through the maze, participants find up to 17 hidden game piece stations, where a game piece is available to tape to your puzzle. Anyone who receives at least 10 pieces at the end of the game receives a prize.

During orientation, Peiffer tells participants that the “corn-kernel” is in a 20-foot lookout tower ready to send out the corn police (also known as the corn-cobs) if you require assistance such as finding a rest area. Just raise your flag and help will be on the way.

Peiffer says the maze appeals to a variety of groups, including school, youth and scout groups, to learn team building skills. A typical season draws 10,000 participants.

In November, the down on the farm country music changes to Christmas melodies. Bring a flashlight to find your way through the maze at night. At the end of the maze, participants can watch a Christmas movie with the Veggie Tales.