Adventure farm set to open for fall fun Saturday, Sept. 7
SPRING GROVE — The same year that Spring Grove’s Richardson Farm was established in 1836, a man named John Deere moved to Illinois, discovering that the state’s sticky, clay soil slowed farmers, who often had to stop every few feet to scrape the dirt off of their cast-iron plows.
Deere’s invention the next year of a self-scouring steel plow revolutionized agriculture — in the U.S. and around the world.
In celebration of that milestone — and Deere & Co.’s continuing ag and construction equipment innovation prowess — this year’s “World’s Largest Corn Maze” is an homage to Deere. The public will be welcomed to take it all in — as well as all of the other fun to be had at the Richardson Adventure Farm — Thursdays through Sundays, Sept. 7-Oct. 27.
A portrait of John Deere is featured in the southwest corner of the rectangular, 28-acre maze this year, with a depiction of the original, steel, moldboard plow pulled by a horse in the southeast corner.
Also featured, along with the company’s tagline, are a couple of Deere & Co.’s more modern offerings: a construction loader (with a pumpkin in the bucket), and a quad track tractor. At the center of this year’s 10.8 miles of trails? A hammer and anvil, representing Deere’s humble start as a blacksmith.
“We always have fun working out the details of each year’s maze,” said George Richardson, who operates the farm at 909 English Prairie Road, Spring Grove, with his wife, Wendy, brother, Robert, Robert’s wife, Carol, George’s son, Ryan, and Ryan’s wife, Kristen.
In the spring, Idaho-based MazePlay once again brought its special planter that uses GPS to drop seeds precisely, creating the maze design and leaving gaps for the trails, Richardson said.
When in bloom, a 12-acre sunflower maze is included with the price of admission, too. Visitors are encouraged to check richardsonadventurefarm.com or find Richardson “World’s Largest” Corn Maze on social media for updates.
Of course, hiking through miles of towering, golden corn or vibrant flowers is far from the picturesque farm’s only draw. Family fun abounds here. There are jumping pillows, pedal karts, giant slides, a train ride, a carousel, 50-foot viewing tower, pig races, an expansive gift shop with a wine sampling bar, and many indoor restrooms.
Add to that food trucks, as well as a new, 54-foot-by-90-foot, concrete-floored, enclosed Barrel House beer pavilion (now under construction), where 9th Hour Brewing craft beers and more will flow.
That’s not to mention the air cannons, live music on weekends, Zorbing, a zip line — just bring your face, this place will put a smile on it.
“I’m looking forward to seeing people enjoy the things we’ve worked so hard to create for them,” Ryan Richardson said. “Between the zip line, the time spent around campfires with family and friends — just the whole experience — everything is an Instagram moment on the farm.”
Regular Richardson Adventure Farm admission ranges from $20 for ages 3 through 12 Sept. 7-29 to $30 for ages 13 and up on October weekends. Those 2 and younger are admitted free. Full details are available at richardsonadventurefarm.com under the Hours & Pricing dropdown, where one also can find campfire and picnic site rental information.