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Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009

Lane corn maze features military theme

Lane Southern Orchards in Fort Valley is in the midst of holding a corn maze through the month of October.

The maze consists of six acres of corn, planted late, so it will remain green throughout the month, company President Duke Lane Jr. said.

The corn maze, Lane said, “is a way to educate (children) about where corn comes from and what it takes to get it ready for eating.”

The maze is in its second year and features a military theme. It’s in the design of a flag and an eagle. Lane has a group that comes in and designs the maze once the theme is picked out. Weed-killer is used on the planted corn to create the maze.

For safety reasons, a bridge overlooks the maze where “corn cops” oversee the wanderers. There is also a way to call from a cell phone to get hints on how to get out.

“It takes about 20 minutes if you don’t get lost,” Lane said.

The corn maze is just one of many events Lane and other groups offer this October. Several groups in Houston and Peach counties are holding fall festivals and other Halloween-related events, such as a trunk-or-treat at First Baptist Church of Byron and a Spooky Science after Dark education class at the Museum of Aviation.

Out in Fort Valley, Lane also offers hay rides, which were so popular that the farm added a second tractor. The hay rides take about 10 to 15 minutes and have a narrated story about the farm. Friday and Saturday nights, there is an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Lane will hold a Fall Farm Festival 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. The festival will feature a bonfire, costume contest, corn maze contest and s’mores. Live music will be provided by Soul Shine, a band out of Macon that performs Allman Brothers covers and requests.

The corn maze and hay ride combo is $9 for ages 4-12 and $13 for 13 and up; just the corn maze is $7 for ages 4-12 and $10 for 13 and up; and hayrides are $3 for ages 4-12 and $5 for ages 13 and up.

The maze is open noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

For more information, call (800) 27-PEACH. Lane is located at 50 Lane Road, Fort Valley.

To contact writer Angela Woolen, call 923-5650.

FALL FUN

Several fall festivals and Halloween-related events are going on in Houston and Peach counties over the next couple weeks.

Sacred Heart Catholic School’s Fall Festival When: 9 a.m. Saturday Where: 250 S. Davis Drive, Warner Robins Cost: Entertainment is free, wrist bands for rides and games can be purchased for ages 6 and up for $15, ages 3-5 $5, under 2 free. More information: Call 953-4190 or visit www.shswr.org.

CrossroadS United Methodist Church Fall Festival When: 5-7 p.m. Sunday Where: 1600 Main St., Perry Cost: Admission is free, small fee for food. More information: Call 987-3721 and speak to Lindsey Williamson.

Fear Fest HAUNTED HOUSE 2009 When: Sunset to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Oct. 31; expected to stay open later Oct. 30-31. Where: Warner Robins Police Department Training Center, located at the end of Stalnaker Drive off Ga. 247 Cost: $5/person More information: Call 293-1060 or 988-2833.

Spooky Science after Dark When: 6-9 p.m. Oct 30 for third through sixth grade students and 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 31 for pre-kindergarten to second grade students Where: Museum of Aviation, Ga. 247 and Russell Parkway Cost: $30 More information: Call 926-5558 or visit www.museumofaviation.org.

Centerville United Methodist Church Fall Festival When: 4-7 p.m. Oct. 31 Where: 600 N. Houston Lake Road, Centerville Cost: Free. Barbecue chicken dinners will be available for $6.50 per plate. More information: Call 953-3090.

Harvest Festival When: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 31 Where: Central Baptist Church, 1120 Lake Joy Road, Warner Robins Cost: $1 More information: Call 953-9319.

Trunk-or-Treat When: 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 31 Where: First Baptist Church of Byron, Lowe Circle, Byron Cost: Free, refreshments available for a donation More information: Call 956-5682.