Choosing Success

RIGHT CHOICES CORN MAZE AND PUMPKIN PATCH READY FOR NINTH YEAR

RICK PECK MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS A John Deere tractor is the main design element this year at the Right Choices Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Southwest City. The tractor represents a farmer working in his field. The theme this year at Right Choices is choosing to be successful and the hard work that it requires.
RICK PECK MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS A John Deere tractor is the main design element this year at the Right Choices Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Southwest City. The tractor represents a farmer working in his field. The theme this year at Right Choices is choosing to be successful and the hard work that it requires.

The Right Choices Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Southwest City is preparing for its ninth season.

The family-fun destination will open for the 2014 season on Saturday, Sept. 20. Closing day will be Nov. 2. Hours have been changed from past years. On Saturdays, hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays hours are from noon until 8 p.m. This year the maze will be closed on Fridays.

Weekdays are for school field trips and youth groups only.

The maze and the other activities will keep the entire family busy all day. In addition to the eight-acre corn maze, activities include a giant corn jump, hay ride along Elk River, cow train ride, corn jump fun and target practice with the corn cannon. Visitors can also toast marshmallows, take pony rides while special events include an antique tractor show and Christian music concerts. Kids can also get a free dental check by ACHE dental.

Galen Manning, owner, said the hay ride and corn jump are the favorite activities other than the maze itself. The corn jump is an inflatable that is buried in the ground that inflates to about four-feet tall. It is 37 feet wide by 70 feet long that allows about 20 people to jump on it at one time.

"The hay ride is a beautiful ride," Manning said. "It's two miles through the woods down along the river with the bluffs on the side."

The pumpkin house has plenty of pumpkins and crafts for purchase. Visitors during the first two weekends of the season, Sept. 20 and 21 and Sept. 27 and 28, will be able to take part in Right Choices's one-half price ($6) all activity admission.

The maze design changes each year to reflect a different right choice emphasized in the book "Make Right Choices," written by maze owner Galen Manning. This year's emphasis is on choosing to be successful and the hard work that requires. Therefore, this year's maze design is a John Deere tractor, a company which exemplifies hard working farmers.

"The maze is promoting hard work is necessary for success," Manning said. "So we used John Deere tractor recognizing a farmer working in his field. All the questions that guide you through the maze are either about the John Deere company or what the Bible has to say about work or labor."

Manning said the corn used for the design of the maze is the best he has ever grown.

"The corn is the tallest we have ever had," Manning said. "The bridge in the maze is 10 foot tall and the corn is above that, so we have 11 foot corn. It's good all the way through. It's the least I have ever irrigated."

Last year over 20,000 people visited the maze. Manning said it would have been more, but he had two Saturdays that were rained out. Manning employs about 75 people to serve his visitors.

Right Choices is located one mile east of the junction Route 0 and Highway 43, north of Southwest City. Directions, a calendar of special events and admission cost can be found at www.rightchoicescornmaze.com or by calling 417-762-3695.

General News on 09/18/2014