Corn Maze is Coming Soon!

Last year Washington County was home to its first public corn maze, thanks to Brazos Valley Maize!

So who is Brazos Valley Maize and why did they want to design a corn maze? Here's their story...

"Welcome to 4F Farms. Our family is happy to share our lifetime love of farm and family with you. Our history has revolved around agriculture since settling in Texas in the mid 1800's. Our paternal grandparents, Arthur and Cora Free, owned and operated a dairy and crop farm east of Brenham. Later the farm was converted to a cow/calf operation that is still run by our family today.

"Our maternal grandparents, Johnie and Meta Tiaden moved to this very farm in 1938. They developed a typical farm for the area, by raising their own food, growing cash crops of corn and cotton, and hunting occasional wild game. Grandma Meta set a mighty fine table. Their large garden, chickens, turkeys, hogs and cattle not only supplied their own food, but were sold and shared with neighbors, as is the farm way of life. Johnie was an avid hunter, and later in life Johnie decided to turn his passion for hunting into a business and learned the trade of taxidermy, which with his able assistant Meta became very successful. His taxidermy shop was located here on the farm and some of his works are still displayed here and in the homes of his three grandsons. Johnie and Meta began farming with mule-drawn equipment and eventually moved into the mechanized era with the purchase of a small tractor and two-row equipment. As you stand in the yard of our farm, please take the time to imagine yourself holding the reins of two strong, stubborn mules ready to plow the very ground upon which you stand. Ah, the good ole days!

"Opening our family farm to visitors and teaching about the importance of agriculture in our society has always been a life long goal. We truly enjoy sharing our history and our love of the land, which has been instilled in us over many generations. We hope you will come out and enjoy some quality time with your family and get back in touch with rural America and Agriculture.


"Sincerely,
The Free Family"

Designing the corn maze is quite an undertaking. First they come up with the design, then plant the corn, and wait for it to grow a certain height. They use a special program to design the maze on a computer, then somehow transport that image to the field where they cut the corn to make the design. And then they wait some more for the corn to grow tall enough to make it a true maze. Incredible!

2012 "Birthplace of Texas" design

The maze is six acres and split into two sections which actually makes two mazes. When you arrive you stop by the mailbox to pick up a passport to help you navigate. There are different passports of different subjects, each with 10 questions to answer. They are multiple choice and your answer determines whether you travel left or right at designated areas inside the maze. If you like getting lost and the challenge of finding your own way, leave the passport behind and go on in!

Food is available. Smoking is prohibited. And fun is had by all! Other activities on site include campfires for roasting marshmallows or hot dogs, pumpkin patch and carving station, corn cannon, cow train, bouncy horse races, and hay rides.

Tented area rentable for parties

If you have a group (kids or adults!), please call ahead to make a reservation. Groups of all kinds are welcome on Fridays - boy/girl scouts, corporate retreats, church groups, family reunions, and others all come out to the farm to enjoy a day of fun. You can even have a birthday party at the farm!

You are welcome to bring your own food and drinks. Campfires are rented for two hour time slots and you can purchase S'mores and "Weenie Roast" kits in case you didn't bring your own.

Special days at the farm are:

2013 "Faith, Family, Farming" design

• October 26 - "Trick-or-Treat in the Maze" from 2-5pm; "Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin" movie shown at 7pm.
• November 2 - "Farm Heritage Day" - A full day of fun and learning for the family complete with horse & mule farming demonstrations, a live band in the evening and a chuck wagon breakfast and dinner.
• November 29 - Day after Thanksgiving the farm will be open from 10am-9pm.

Opening day is September 28! Admission is $10 for ages 3-59 and $8 for seniors over 60 and military/law enforcement members. Group rates are available and credit cards are accepted.

Brazos Valley Maize will be open Sept 28-Nov 29 - Saturdays 10am-9pm and Sundays 1-7pm. Get your family or group together and make a date to GET LOST!!!