  WELL-BEHAVED children, (and only such) Warmly Welcomed! All who regard the earth as Sacred are welcome. Littering will not be tolerated. What you carry in, carry out! What you bring here, take home! (These paths look this good because I weed-whacked every single path till the corn/weeds got tired of fighting!) Mike Motley, 14, of Simsbury, & Joshua, walk out of the corn maze at Fort Hill Farms in Thompson. 2009 Norwich Bulletin article in “GO” section! By DUSTIN RACIOPPI
They walked into Maine and walked out from Georgia — all in Thompson. Hundreds of people walked through the 8-mile corn maze at Fort Hill Farms on Sunday. For the fifth year, the farm’s owners, Peter and Kristin Orr, have carved out the tall, slim stalks of corn to represent something important in America to offer an educational aspect to the maze, which could last up to two hours. This year, Kristin Orr and her trusty Weedwacker and hand clippers settled on the Appalachian Trail, which, in REALITY, stretches from Maine to Georgia and extends 2,175 miles. “We don’t just want to corn-fuse people. We want to educate them, too,” she said. “What would I be about if I just took your money and let you get lost in there?” So, the couple set up stations where wanderers can learn different facts about the trail, have a drink and, often unknowingly, take part in the country’s heritage. “In order to be farmers for the new millenium, we have to talk to people about the importance of agriculture.” “We just gradually have kind of been inviting people to come in and enjoy the property. The dairy farm originally was just wholesale, no retail, but when people see the farm, they want to be part of it” Peter Orr said. “It’s something educational and fun at the same time, and gets everyone outside,” Mary Cashman said. “It’s like our last hurrah before school starts.” Running until Veterans Day, the corn maze this year has another advantage, said Kristin Orr. “You can hike the Appalachian Trail in 2 1⁄2 months, or you can walk the Appalachian Trail here in 2 1⁄2 hours,” she said. “They always take the maze.” If you go: Fort Hill Farms corn maze Season: Aug.22 to Nov. 5 Hours: 10 -10 (ice cream till 9) Traditionally, we were only open for flashlight nights Fri/ Sat, but now we have ice cream & the Creamery’s open till 9 Last ticket sold: One hour before closing. Flashlight nights: Flashlight nights are held more often now because The Creamery is open later. Call ahead if weather is iffy! Prices: Adults (ages 12 and older) $12, youth (everyone under 11) $10. Yes, we charge for ALL children–this is an educational maze–and Sacred Ground. This is an Agricultural experience, WALKING ON SACRED GROUND for ALL who come here. Mazes that don’t charge for children have children running around willy-nilly, and adults are not interested in coming to that kind of maze. If your child is under 5, we made a maze just for you, and it is the Mini Maze, $7 each, only takes a half hour, which is about the attention span of kids under 6. Information: 860-923-3439. Email: herrootsrundeep@forthillfarms.com
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Quintessential Gardens at Fort Hill Farms
