By Savanah Mandeville
Did you know there’s a place where all things autumn and Halloween converge for eight glorious weeks of nonstop fun?
Located on Missouri State Highway MM, Exeter Corn Maze is a whole lot more than a maze. It has it all – a haunted house, go-carts, hayrides, a 65-acre pumpkin patch, zombie paintball, a petting zoo, zipline, barn swing, pumpkin cannons and more.
In fact, the list keeps growing every year.
“We want all the fall family fun you can have in one spot,” said Artie Cole, who owns Exeter Corn Maze with his wife, Robyn. “We want to make sure we offer everything there is possible to do on the farm.”
New this year is a 30-foot slide with an observation tower; a giant hay fort complete with a hay maze; and a sunflower field.
The corn maze is the main attraction, and each year it’s done in an elaborate design the Coles keep top secret until opening day. This year, they added a second, haunted maze that will operate at night only.
Speaking of hauntings, the haunted house will be open during the day with self-guided tours and no actors so the younger kids can get a chance to go inside.
Also for the kids, the Barnyard Express is new this year. This kiddie train will make its way around the grounds all season long.
With a new and improved concession stand called The Corn Patch and fire pits to relax next to, families can comfortably spend the whole day at Exeter Corn Maze.
“We’ve always had a big passion for fall and Halloween,” Artie said. “We started with a small haunted house as just something fun to do, and we grew it from there. Our attendance grows every year, and we’re always trying to improve and offer more things to do. We want everybody to have a great time!”