Visit the Fender's Corn Maize in Jonesborough, Tennessee

As summer comes to an end and fall rapidly approaches, it's time to start planning those fall activities. One activity in particular that my family and I enjoy each year is going to a corn maze. If you have never heard of or visited a corn maze, you are missing out on something fun for the whole family.

Corn mazes are created by farmers after their corn crops have been picked. It takes a lot of advanced planning by the farmers to design just the right maze. The mazes have to be designed so that people of all ages can walk through and, for the most part, get a little lost. Getting lost is the best part of the entire adventure.

One particular maze we enjoy visiting is Fender's Maize in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Fender's has a 7-acre corn maze and 3-acre "field of screams" maze. In addition to the mazes, Fender's offers other activities for the entire family.

You can visit the maze during the daylight hours, but of course, it is more fun and exciting at night. At night you take a flashlight and try and find your way out. As you are trying to get out, you never know what is waiting for you around every corner. Going through the maze at night is not for the weak at heart. I find myself holding on to my husband's hand scared out of my mind, but that is all part of the fun. Besides, the children get a kick out of the fact that mom is scared.

Fender's will also have special events planned during the fall. They will have the Nolichucky River Bluegrass Festival on September 7-8 and the Nolichucky River Gospel Music Festival on September 14-15. Both of these events have free admission.

If you plan to visit Fender's Maize, make it an afternoon and evening of fun with your family. Start by taking the hayride to the pumpkin patch and pick out your pumpkin. Then let the children ride the cow train, see the farm animals or play in the corn box, then stay for the maze at night. You will thoroughly enjoy this family outing. You can make it a yearly tradition for your family.

Fender's Maize opens August 31 and closes November 3rd. They will be open Monday-Friday from 4:00pm-9:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am-10:00pm and Sunday from 1:00pm-6:00pm. The haunted maze is open Friday and Saturday evenings from dark to 10:00pm. For more information and directions, you can visit their website at www.fendersmaze.com.

If you live in or visiting northeast Tennessee this fall, make sure you put Fender's Maize on your list of must-dos.