Now in its 26th year, La Union Maze “started as a tent on the side of the road, one corn roaster and me and my sister slinging Cokes out of an ice cooler,” maze manager Kristen Dorman said.
Since then, the maze in Anthony, New Mexico, has grown to feature a 13-acre maze and a 30-acre pumpkin patch with an array of rides, attractions, food vendors and more.
What’s remained the same, Dorman said, is the family fun her parents set out to provide to the region.
“It’s a labor of love,” said Dorman, whose parents founded the farm. The maze is made of sorghum, a drought-resistant hay grass that requires less water than corn and is planted in the summer to be ready by fall.
La Union Maze is one of three area mazes – including Mesilla Valley in Las Cruces and El Paso Farmland in the Lower Valley – readying to open to patrons for the fall season starting in late September. The three also feature pumpkin patches where visitors can not only take great Instagram photos, but pick and purchase an array of pumpkins.
“If I had to guess,” Dorman joked when asked about how many pumpkins grow at La Union, “it’s a lot.”
This year, the air around La Union will be especially sweet: The maze design is part of “Sesame Street’s” Road Trip Across America, where characters from the educational TV show participate in family-friendly events throughout the nation such as state fairs, baseball games and corn mazes to “bring communities together.” Some 30 local farms will create Muppet mazes, according to a news release from the Sesame Workshop nonprofit. “Sesame Street’s” 56th season premiered on Netflix and PBS Kids this summer.
“‘Sesame Street’ was a staple for us growing up, so this was a great opportunity to partner with them,” Dorman said.
Here’s what you need to know about the area’s mazes and pumpkin patches:
El Paso Farmland Corn Maze
Big maze, kiddie maze, pumpkin patches, pumpkin train, pedal carts, cow train, rubber duck races, food trucks, vendors, rides. No pets, only service animals allowed.
- Where: 1100 Nuevo Hueco Tanks Road
- When: 1-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 4-26
- Tickets: Children 2 and younger, free; children 3-11, $9.95; ages 12 and older, $12.95. Active military, teachers, $1 off admission with ID. Unlimited ride tickets, $14.95. Tickets available at the farm. Cashless ticket booth. Some vendors may still accept cash.
- Information: elpasocornmaze.com or @elpasocornmaze on Facebook and Instagram
La Union Maze
Thirteen-acre maze, pumpkin patch, wagon rides, cow trains, jumping pillows, slides, farm animals, pig races, rubber duck races, culvert roll, bee line, pedal cars, concessions, food trucks, gift shop. No pets, only service animals allowed.
- Where: 1101 Highway 28, Anthony, New Mexico
- When: 5-9 p.m. Fridays; 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays; 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, Sept. 27-Nov. 2
- Tickets: Ages 2-5, $7.50-$10.50; ages 6 and older, $10.50-$16.50; younger than 2 and older than 75, free admission. Active military, military children ages 2-5 and seniors 65-75, 15% discount. Tickets available online only. Cashless venue. Only credit cards are accepted.
- Information: launionmaze.com or @launionmaze on Facebook and Instagram
Mesilla Valley Maze
Corn maze, hay rides, corn barn, corn hole, ring toss, kiddie corral, trike trail, giant slides, climbing tires, picnic areas. Concessions available; outside food is permitted (no glass or alcohol). No pets, only service animals allowed.
- Where: 3855 W. Picacho St., Las Cruces
- When: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 27-Oct. 26. Last admission at 5:30 p.m. Special events: Fall Festival, Oct. 4-5; Pumpkin Festival, Oct. 25-26
- Tickets: Children 2 and younger, free; ages 3-12, $16; adults $19; $2 discount with military ID. Cash, debit, credit accepted. Tickets available online or on site.
- Information: mesillavalleymaze.com or @mesillavallemaze on Facebook and Instagram
Pumpkin Painting at Ramirez Pecan Farm
Pumpkins and decorating sets for sale; decorating contests; country store goods such as fresh shelled pecans, biscochos, pecan pies, breads and butter pecan ice cream.
- Where: 13709 North Loop Drive, Clint, Texas
- When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 18-19
- Information: Ramirez Pecan Farm on Facebook
Beth El Bible Church Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkins, games and food vendors.
- Where: 6440 Montana Ave.
- When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Mondays, Oct. 4-31
- Information: Beth El Bible
The post When do corn mazes, pumpkin patches open around El Paso this fall? appeared first on El Paso Matters.
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