There's Going To Be A Star Trek Corn Maze In The Suburbs This Year

By Marielle Shaw in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 9, 2016 6:00PM

Aerial view of the 2016 maze at Richardson Farm. Photo courtesy Richardson Farm website

Crop circles may not be a real thing, but this fall in northwest suburban Spring Grove, you'll still be seeing aliens in the cornfields. Richardson "Adventure" Farm has been a fall staple, featuring the world's largest corn maze, a title it's held as far back as 2010. Each year a new theme is carefully planned, the corn is planted and cared for, and new trails are carved. Last year's theme was the Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup championship. This year, they're boldly going in a new direction.

The farm's new maize maze is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Star Trek, and its 11.5 miles of trail wind through the 33 acre cornfield to create the shapes of Kirk, Spock, and the original series Enterprise, forming 2016's largest corn maze. Starting Sept. 3, visitors will be able to enjoy the maze and play any of Richardson's five maze games, which vary by length of time required to beat them, from about 20 minutes to 2 hours long. You can also snap pictures and get hints by climbing a 50 foot observation tower, get some fall goodies, or pick through 16 acres of pumpkins. Admission is 16 dollars for adults and 13 for children 4 to 12. The maze is open most weekdays from 3 to 10 p.m .and on weekends, from 10 a.m. 'til 11 p.m., with special midnights during full moons. And, if your dog is leashed and "plays well with others," you can bring him along, too.

Corn mazes are a Midwest tradition, and if "go big or go home" is your motto, you won't find anything larger. And while it is 60 miles out from the city, we think it's certainly worth the voyage. For more information on admission, activities and hours click here.