NEW YORK (AP) – Visitors to corn mazes across the country are finding a familiar and joyous figure in the winding labyrinth of tall stalks. Snoopy.
More than 80 farms in the United States (US) and Canada have teamed up with Peanuts Worldwide to create Peanuts-themed mazes to celebrate the beloved strip’s 75th birthday this summer and fall.
A massive Snoopy rests on top of his doghouse in a maze at Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown, Indiana, and he’s depicted gleefully atop a pumpkin at Downey’s Farm in Caledon, Ontario.
“All of these events helps keep my dad’s legacy alive,” said Jill Schulz, an actor and daughter of Peanuts creator Charles M Schulz.
“As someone who can’t even keep houseplants alive, the fact that they can do that with a corn maze and get the artwork right and create a fun experience for all ages is pretty incredible,” she added, laughing.
The mazes – which span 35 states and provinces, from California to New York, Ontario to Texas – are expected to attract more than two million visitors. Farmers are signing up for the free service because the mazes are part of the customer lure. Each maze is designed for the size of the farm – from 1.5 acres to 20 acres – and are mostly corn but also sunflowers.
They’re custom created by the world’s largest corn maze consulting company, The MAiZE Inc.
Peanuts made its debut on October 2, 1950.
The travails of the ‘little round-headed kid’ Charlie Brown and his pals eventually ran in more than 2,600 newspapers, reaching millions of readers in 75 countries.
