Grateful Dead-Inspired Corn Maze at Jacobs Farm: A Traverse City Tradition
Jacobs Farm in Traverse City has introduced its newest corn maze design, inspired by the legendary band, the Grateful Dead, in honor of their 60th anniversary. This year's theme combines the band's iconic "Steal Your Face" logo with cherries, reflecting the region's cherry production. Maze creator Beau Shacklette added a local touch by incorporating cherries into the design.
The corn maze, a tradition started in 2008 by Mike and Laverna Wiccup, has become a beloved attraction that attracts visitors from both near and far. Lindsay Benedict, who manages social media for Jacobs Farm, highlighted the maze's significance as a Traverse City staple.
Each season, the farm unveils a new maze design to engage visitors, with themes ranging from circuses to Cleopatra. Shacklette emphasized that this year's design is geared towards "big kids" and aims to appeal to a wider audience.
Creating the intricate maze design on a 10-acre scale is a complex process that involves planting corn in late May or early June and using GPS technology to cut the design with a tractor-mounted rototiller. Shacklette described the fascinating process of transforming a field of corn into a maze.
For Jacobs Farm, the corn maze is more than just a fun activity; it's about creating lasting memories for families. Benedict emphasized the importance of visitors cherishing the experience and creating memories that they can look back on with fondness.
The Jacobs Farm corn maze is open for tours daily until October 31. Visitors can enjoy the unique design, explore the maze, and create unforgettable memories with their loved ones.