It’s time for the Toledo Rockets to stalk the Bowling Green Falcons.
Fans can psyche up for the big game at the Corn Maze at the Butterfly House, 11455 Obee Road in Whitehouse, Ohio.
UT and BGSU are featured in the Corn Maze at the Butterfly House in Whitehouse.
“I think everybody has some type of connection to the local universities — son, daughter, mom, dad, friends. We all benefit from the quality of education here,” said Duke Wheeler, co-owner of Wheeler Farms.
“With the economy as tough as it is, we thought our universities are the key for our community to prosper,” he added.
Four mazes ranging from .8 miles to 2.7 miles in length with varying difficulties were cut on 16 acres of Wheeler Farms during the first week of August.
“Once the design is approved, the art program is connected to GPS coordinates, and someone from MazePlay.com drives around a small tractor with garden rototillers on the back. He looks at the computer, which tells him when to turn right and when to turn left,” Wheeler explained.
“When it was cut, the corn was about knee high,” he said. “Now the corn is 8 to 9 feet tall.”
Wheeler said most can complete the small maze in about 10 minutes.
“If you do all four mazes and make all wrong turns, it takes about one hour and 45 minutes,” he said. “But it takes longer at night because you’re out there with a flashlight and it’s more challenging.”
Weather permitting, the Corn Maze is open through Oct. 28; hours are Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday from 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday from noon to midnight; and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Cost is $8 for adults; $7 for children 6 through 9 and seniors 65 and older; and free for children 5 and younger. Tickets are sold up to one hour before closing.
UT and BGSU students can show their IDs for $1 discount.
A friendly little race is planned to psyche up for the big football game, which will take place Saturday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Glass Bowl.
“We’ll have a competition this week with eight students from UT and eight students from BGSU to see who can have the fastest time through the maze,” Wheeler said. “Starting Tuesday, Sept. 11, students should check out facebook.com/cornmaze.wheelerfarms and friend us for a chance to compete and win free passes to bring their friends back and a free Christmas tree
Of course, part of the fun is a chance to revel in all that is fall.
“We all need to slow down; this is a great way to slow down,” Wheeler said. “Taking a walk on a farm field, walking on the dirt, looking at the beauty of the earth, sitting by a fire — that’s what it’s all about.”
