Are the kids bored, anxious and rebelling cause summer is over and they have nothing fun to do? Well parents don’t panic, the Mesilla Valley Maze and Family Fun Farm in Las Cruces, New Mexico opens its doors September 27th, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The maze closes October 26th.
The maze is in its 16th season and is better than ever, there is lots of activities, games and attractions for the whole family.
Children can navigate the giant corn maze known as the "Great Pumpkin," a monstrous jungle of corn stalk with trails that interweave throughout a nine acre site. During their journey, kids will discover fun activities at various stations located throughout the maze, it’s educational, challenging and more importantly it’s fun.
There is also the Rubber Duck Race which is very popular, competitors crank an old fashion hand water pump to thrust water into a chute, floating rubber ducks down the racing channels and onto the finish line. Kids also enjoy Gem Mining, an interactive activity where children work a miner’s sluice and pan for gems, fossils and arrowheads. The Hamster Wheel Competition is another favorite, kids twirl inside a youth-size hamster wheel and race to the finish line. Small children also have the competitive spirit as they steer old-fashion pedal carts around a circular track.
Other games and activities include face painting, giant slides, ring games, tic-tac-toe, tire climbing, trike trail, scotty's scoopers, wayne's wormholes, whisper tubes, looky lou, mini mazes, music to my ears, mystic walk, papa's playground, and paver mazes. A new addition to the maze is Hi-Strikers, a carnival game where participants test their strength with a swing of a mallet in an attempt to ring a bell on top of a tower with a soaring puck.
Another fun-filled activity is a visit to the farm’s Pumpkin Patch. Getting to the patch is half the fun, as visitors take a hayride around the farm on the way to the 20 acre plus pumpkin patch. The farm has an abundance of pumpkins, and sizes ranging from minis to giant. Approximately 50,000 to 100,000 pumpkins are grown each year, so don’t miss out on harvesting your personal pumpkin. They are priced between 50 cents to $25, depending on the size.
As an alternative, harvested pumpkins can be purchased from the Pumpkin Junction, as well as Jack-O-Lantern supplies and various fall-holiday decorations. Mums and other vegetables are sold at the junction, such as gourds, squash, and Indian corn.
A country store and kitchen is located at the farm, Katie’s Country Store has jams, preserves, pecans, honey, toasted pecan syrup, candy, apple butter and gifts. Aunt Mary’s Kitchen offers delicious roasted corn, corn in the cup, corn dogs, tamales, rolled tacos, burritos, and pizza. They also have snacks, such as nachos, popcorn, kettlecorn, frutiki bars, cotton candy and fruit in a cup. Coffee, lemonade, canned soda and bottled water are also available at the store.
Admission to Mesilla Valley Maze and Family Fun Farm is $10.95 for adults and $8.95 for children 3 to 12 years of age. Children under 2 years of age are admitted free. Military members receive a $2 discount with a military ID. There are no admission tickets sold after 6 p.m., so get there early and don’t miss out on the hayride, the last one leaves at 6:30 p.m.
Several activities and games are free with admission except for the following which require additional fees, Gem Mining, Duck Racing, Pumpkin Painting, Face Painting, Rope Making and Hi-Strikers. Each of these activities may require more than one ticket each, please check the website for ticket information. Tickets are $1 each or a pack of 22 tickets for $20.
The maze has special group discounts and tours (with advance reservations) for schools, scout troops, churches and other groups, please call them for more information at (575) 526-1919 or visit their website mesillavalleymaze.com. Groups can visit the maze on Tuesdays through Fridays between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., from September 23rd - October 31st, make your reservations soon.
It’s all about fun at the Mesilla Valley Corn Maze, there is lots to do, so bring some comfortable clothes, a camera, and have fun with your kids. Visit mesillavalleymaze.com for more information or visit explorelascruces.org
The maze is located at 3855 West Picacho Avenue, take I-10 and exit on 139.