Richardson's Releases This Year's Corn Maze Design

SPRING GROVE, IL — It's that time of year again — Richardson Adventure Farm will soon debut its corn maze, dubbed the largest in the world, to the public. This year, the corn maze will pay homage to John Deere.

Richardson Farm in Spring Grove was established in 1836—the same year that 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, according to a news release from Richardson Farm. Deere’s invention the next year of a self-scouring steel plow revolutionized agriculture — in the U.S. and around the world.

Richardson Farm is celebrating that milestone as well as Deere & Co.’s continuing ag and construction equipment innovation prowess with this year's corn maze. Richardson Adventure Farm will open to the public on Sept. 7 and will remain open on Thursdays through Sundays through 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, according to a news release.

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 is a hammer and anvil, representing Deere’s humble start as a blacksmith, according to a news release.

“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, along 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. Other attractions at the farm include: 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.

There will also be food trucks and a new Barrel House beer pavilion, which is currently under construction. The pavilion will serve up 9th Hour Brewing craft beers and other beers as well.

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.”

More information on the hours of operation, ticket costs and more can be found on the Richardson Adventure Farm website.