By Don Lowe
As we fall into a new season with cooler temperatures andshorter days, many people across Southwest Missouri becomeexcited about saying goodbye to summer knowing the Exeter Corn
Maze comes alive as a delightful destination full of family-friendly fun.
Of course, there’s everything from pumpkins, scarecrows, sunflowers, apples, ghosts and ghouls galore, as well as plenty of delicious foods and the corn maze, plus lots more entertainment options sure to help make any visit here memorable.
As the owner of the Exeter Corn Maze, the Cole family recalls howthis all began for them: “We wanted to go haunted housing in August 1999, but nothing was open, so we decided to build our own.
“We decided to do the corn maze in 2010 after visiting other corn mazes across the country. The pumpkin patch came that year as well.”
It’s all about making it an exciting experience for all those who choose to come here, and the Cole family says, “We want to give everyone something new and fun to look forward to every fall”.
“We try to change things and grow to make it exciting for our customers. We are always looking for new ideas and learning new trends all year long. Lots of hard work goes into making the haunts.”
Mandy Mattingly and her family, who are Exeter residents, are amongst the thousands who have found this place to be an amazing adventure year after year. Mattingly says, “Overall, what make this experience so special is the fun and memories we make so close to home.
“We have family and friends from all over that come to visit us and this always gives us an inexpensive option for good, clean family fun close to our home.
“This will be my 14th season going to the corn maze since I moved down here from Nevada, Missouri, in 2012, but my husband Steven, who is from Exeter, remembers going back in the early 2000swhen he was in high school.
The Cole family strives to make everything as appealing as possible,so they are diligent in the details and, as an example, they explain, “We come up with a design (for the corn maze) and have it sent to a company that develops the picture we provide, and they make a maze out of it.
“They will eventually come out here when the corn has grown and cut the design with a skid steer (small, versatile piece of construction equipment with hydraulic lifting arms and wheels or tracks) thatis equipped with GPS. It takes about six hours.”
As for the haunted houses, “The goal is to craft an environment that fully immerses visitors in a spooky, thrilling atmosphere. This involves detailed set designs, realistic props and convincing actorsto make the experience as believable as possible.”
While each person or group might have their favorites, Mattingly’s sentiment might be most like many visitors here. The Exeter R-VI School District kindergarten teacher says, “I know this soundscliché, but we love everything about the corn maze. They’re always expanding with new attractions, specialty events and food options.”
In describing the entire venture, Mattingly says, “We love getting lost in the corn maze, interacting with animals in the petting zoo, burying each other in the corn pit, riding the pumpkin teapots and Patchey’s Plummit (free-fall ride), picking apples, watching Friday night fireworks, mining for gold/gemstones, making s’mores at the fire pits and going on the fright light ride at night.
“We love to pick pumpkins and gourds for carving and decorating and the many photo ops over the years with the sunflowers and wildflowers.
“My kids (five-year old Kaylor and two-year old Kruz) especially like Paxton the Pumpkin-Eating Dragon. They also have their favorites, Barbie-Q and Jimmy Dean at the Pig Races. We also love thevariety of food, snacks and drinks that are available for everyone’s liking.”
While all the things Mattingly mentions provides a well-rounded perspective on everything that’s available, she suggests, “It’s also a great source of added income for many local kids and families who work there. “They also work to provide affordable field trip options for schools like the one where I work. There’s just so much to do and experience.We look forward to every Labor Day weekend each year to kick off the season.”
As for the Cole family, their mindset is simple. “We want people to`leave with memories that will be cherished forever.”
Exeter Corn Maze Fast Facts
What: The Exeter Corn Maze
When: Saturday, Sept. 7-Sunday, Nov. 3
Where: State Highway MM, Exeter, Missouri (Note: Continue
following Highway MM south until it comes to an end, then turn
left at the stop signs. There are signs along the road to help
you on your way.)
Hours: Wednesday 4:30-8:30 p.m. / Friday, 3:30-10:30 p.m.
/ Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. / Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-8:30
p.m.
Cost: General admission is $22.95 plus tax for adults and
$20.95 plus tax for children 12 and under. General admission
with Haunted Activities is $32.95 plus tax for adults, $30.95
plus tax for children 12 and under. ($2 off on Fridays.) Note:
The only additional cost is for go-karts, $6.95 for adults and
$5.95 for children 12 and under. Also Note: Gem mining and
face painting prices may vary.
Website: https://www.exetercornmaze.com/
Phone Number: 877.846.3959
Email Address: [email protected]