|
This week's a-MAiZE-ing News, with a special focus on the upcoming Corn Party, contains updates, info and ideas you won't want to miss....
|
|
Corn Party Registration Deadline...February 1
|
|
|
Though we will still be able to accept late registrations after February 1, we will be submitting all of our name badges, t-shirt quantities, etc. this week. Thus, to ensure you get all of these materials, we encourage everyone to register by February 1.
For those not yet registered, information and registration forms can still be found at www.cornparty.com.
|
|
|
#4: Murray Farms: Optional Add-On to World Ag Expo
|
|
|
Murray Family Farms
Optional Add-On for
World Ag Expo Day
|
|
|
As an option for those who may not want to spend their entire day at the World Ag Expo on February 15 (though it does take at least one day to see it all), Murray Family Farms in Bakersfield, CA has kindly offered to host a visit for anyone interested.
If there are enough who choose this option, we will send a bus down to their farm in the morning and you'd return in time to spend around 2 hours at the Ag Expo. If you are interested in signing up for this tour, please email raquel@themaize.com by February 6. |
|
|
|
Murray Family Farms is located 18 miles east of Bakersfield, 1.5 hours south and east of the World Ag Expo in Tulare. This Agri-Entertainment operation on Hwy 58 is open 360 days of the year, featuring year round U-Pick, and an 8,000 sq. ft. retail operation. The group will have an opportunity to take a 30 minute wagon ride, visit the petting zoo, 5,000 sq ft cover over the bounce pillow, duck races, spider web, cow train, popcorn pool, corn cannons, 6,000 sq ft pole barn, and Aunt Annabelles Ant Farm. The farm features more than 170 varieties of "Grown Ripe Here" fruit. Our "Citrus Extravaganza" is featured during the winter months. Steve and Vickie Murray will be serving lunch from their "Cal-Okie Orchard Kitchen"tm featuring "in season" asparagus chicken "Okie Fry Pies"tm, a savory fried turnover. Pie and ice cream will be included. From the farm, we will travel several miles to the home ranch, where the group will have an opportunity to pick and sample more than 35 varieties of citrus, including exotics such as Tahitian Pumelos, numerous candy sweet mandarines, and fragrant Buddha's Hands. From there we will take a short trip to the "Rock Pile", a Yokut's Indian archaeological site featuring hundreds of grinding stones on giant granite boulders surrounded by our dormant cherry orchards. There will be an opportunity to sip wine or fresh squeezed citrus juice on the boulders overlooking the farm while discussing the former inhabitants of this rock outcropping. From there we will return to the Ag Expo in time for an "O J Simpson dash through the farm show. Visit murrayfamilyfarms.com
- Steve Murray
|
|
#3: Historic Hawes Farms: An Optional Saturday Stop
|
|
We are so excited to have the MAiZE family visiting our farm! The farm originated in 1863, 5 generations ago. We are still a working farm, growing around 50 acres of English walnuts, 450 acres of dryland wheat, and about 2,000 acres of cattle range land. Also, in 1977, we ventured into the farm supply business, and we now have 2 feed stores, which specialize in hay, fertilizer, animal feeds, fencing, seed, chemicals, and the like. In 2005, we ventured into the agritainment business with our first corn maze. I guess we got "hooked" on the agritainment business, and really added a lot of attractions in 2007 and 2008. Most of what you will see is "farm" made in our shop by James and myself. I have never missed a corn maze conference, and love getting ideas from all of you. Some things you will see if you visit our farm are:
- An original Allan Herschell 24 gauge train, cow train, grain train, pumpkin and corn cannons, outdoor movie screen, zip lines, some rustic looking shade structures, goat walk, pony rides, animal barns (portable so easy with the permitting process), Sandy Creek gem stone mine, jumping pillow, kids play area, tire swings, & our pig racing facility.
- Lots of haunted attractions (from Oak Island, Keen Designs, and Scare Products/Onadira) - including Carnival of Fear, Dread Shed, and Buried Alive attractions. The haunts will be open with our haunting staff that morning from around 8-9am; then the lights will be on for everyone to look behind the scenes. Frank Aridano and Shawn Keen will be there to answer questions.
- We have also added a lot of concessions, including pizza ovens, BBQ, soft serve ice cream/sweet shop, kettle corn, the Grubstake (fried foot long corn dogs, funnel cakes, garlic fries, potato chipstix, and more. We also added shaved ice and our "watering hole" (our old fashioned western bar to compliment our weekend festivities).
- This year we focused on special weekend events to keep the year fresh. We added an Oktoberfest, Farmhand 5K run, Western Days, Dutch Oven cookoff, and Train Days.
Our next projects include a train barn to house our 3 trains, a mountain of slides/large zip line...., outdoor adventure course, and a fort for another kid's play area. Also, a farmers market/bakery are in our future dreams. Travel safe and we look forward to seeing you at the Corn Party! For our website, visit www.historichawesfarms.com.
-Greg and Nikola
|
|
Book Your Airport Shuttle for the Corn Party
|
Since the Hilton does not have a complimentary shuttle from the  airport, you will want to book a SuperShuttle for your transportation. We have arranged a $4 RT discount off their rate, which you can receive by CLICKING HERE to book or calling 800-258-3826 and using the discount code GMZ2H. For additional information about booking, CLICK HERE to download an information sheet. If you have 4 or more people in your party, your cheapest option is to reserve a private 7-passenger van from Super Shuttle for $55 each way. If you have 3 or less, you'll want to book a shared ride van for $15/person each way. |
|
Last Chance to Get Your Hotel at Our Blocked Rate!
|
|
Our blocks at both the Madera and Sacramento hotels will be closing February 1, so you have just a couple more days to get them at the blocked rate.
Madera (Pre-Conference Tour Hotel): Though the Springhill Suites block filled, we do have a second block at the Holiday Inn Express for $75. Please CLICK HERE for more details on www.cornparty.com.
Sacramento Hilton: There are very few rooms left in our block for $99, but you can still book one, through February 1 . CLICK HERE for details. If you discover that the block is full when you call, please make your reservation anyway and then email kamille@themaize.com to see if we can get you moved into the block.
|
|
The MAiZE Inc.; PO Box 367, Spanish Fork, UT 84660; 888-798-0596
|
|
|
|
|
