SAND MTN. CORN MAZE

The Sand Mountain Corn Maze will celebrate Alabama’s bicentennial anniversary when it opens for the season this weekend. Those who enter the maze will find themselves in the midst of a giant Alabama 200 logo as they navigate through the twists and turns.

Although the logo won’t be visible from inside the maze, Alabama’s history still will play a crucial part. Throughout the maze, 10 checkpoints will be set up to guide people as they find their way. Each checkpoint features a different question about Alabama’s history with two answers to choose from. The correct answer points in the right direction while the wrong answer increases your chances of getting lost.

“The maze this year is the hardest we’ve ever had,” Kasey Dixon, who oversees marketing for the maze, said.

The maze also sports the logo of Ag-Pro, whose Gadsden location provides John Deere tractors and Gators for staff to use for activities on the farm.

Dixon and her parents, Wade and Donna Cahela, have operated the maze for 12 years. In addition to the 14-acre maze, the farm offers families and school groups a variety of things to do during the fall season.

A wagon ride transports guests to a pumpkin patch, where they can take their pick of a pumpkin before carrying it to a decorating station.

Kids can ride in a “cow train” fashioned out of barrels with seats, wheels and cow-themed paint applied. A barn also offers a rock wall, corn pit, roller slide and other activities for younger guests. For kids and adults, corn blasters test targeting skills as players shoot corn cobs out of pipes loaded with compressed air.

A new activity has been added this year, too, Dixon said. Fashioned like a giant hamster wheel, players can try to navigate their way along a track in a challenge they are calling “Roll On,” named after a song by the Alabama band.

Fridays, Saturdays and Sunday, just after dark, teams can load up in a modified wagon and take aim at zombies using mounted paintball guns. The zombies, played by staff at the maze, are intended to be comedic, so Dixon said children shouldn’t be scared.

The bicentennial theme continues throughout the farm, with stations set up to showcase various facts about Alabama, its history and its farms.

While the maze isn’t scary, Dixon said it’s even more challenging once it gets dark. Although stadium lights shine down on the area, the decreased visibility makes navigating the rows a little harder.

“It’s way more fun at night,” she said.

The maze opens at 10 a.m. Saturday. Hours are 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Zombie Splatter will begin Sept. 27.

For pricing information, which varies per activity, visit the Sand Mountain Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch on Facebook.