Cornfield fun at its seasonal best 

By KARI KRAMER | East Texas Edition

Dennis Patterson and one of the corn maze scary characters, the Grim Reaper, take it easy during the daylight hours. -- Staff photo by Kramer

Oct. 27, 2005 - Dennis Patterson has taken ordinary corn and turned it into something uniquely scary.

Patterson operates the Haunted Z Maze in Caddo Mills. The maze is actually a combination of four mazes cut in eight acres of corn. The corn, some of which stands more than nine feet tall, was planted in early July.

Patterson’s maze usually opens for business in mid- to late-September, but planning was a year-long task that began taking shape in June when the field was plowed. After planting in early July, Patterson began sketching the idea for his maze and planning to carve the maze in the corn.

While the corn was very short, Patterson began the massive task of molding paths into the maze. Usually, Patterson said, the paths are sprayed into the corn, but this year he wanted tighter paths, and opted to hoe the paths manually.

�It took about a week,� he said. �It usually takes two days.�

After darkness falls, the Reaper’s Field and “Field of Screams” gets seasonally exciting for visitors to Haunted Z Maze in Caddo Mills. -- Staff photo by Kramer

Patterson’s three mazes combine to make a large agriculture artwork. Planes and helicopters can view a pattern of stars and bursts from above. In the past they could view designs that read “In God We Trust,” and another year showed an image of Uncle Sam.

Hoeing corn may not seem tedious, but Patterson, who takes pride in creating something for children to enjoy, said he never minded the work, or the hardships he faced in order to get the maze up and running this year.

First the weather had to be managed. He spent time addressing the water needs of corn planted so late in the season. Most of Patterson’s work was done in temperatures over 100 degrees, inside the humid corn field. Later, high winds from storms blew over two bridges that ran through the maze, and damaged one side of the haunted house.

�Mother Nature�s been bad to me, but I guess God�s been holding me up,� Patterson said.

�Funding was the most obvious problem.

�I begged, scrapped, and borrowed just to do this this year,� Patterson said. He added his diet this year included several sandwiches so food money could be spent on supplies for the maze.

Before the maze opened for business, Patterson had invested more than $30,000 in the project.

The money was spent on supplies needed to grow the corn, costumes for the actors, special effects and other necessities.

All the money was invested in a project on land that Patterson does not own, which makes the future of the maze uncertain. The maze is owned by Patterson’s cousin. Patterson hopes to raise enough money this year to buy the property so he can be sure to continue to operate the maze annually.

Patterson, who helped his family grow corn in the Texas Panhandle during his youth, has nearly 50 volunteers who help man the mazes during operation. In order to help Patterson raise money, the actors have volunteered to work for free, but Patterson said they will get something out of the deal.

This year he plans on taking 20 percent of his profit and dividing it between his volunteers. 

�I want to make enough money that all my actors get a good little chunk.�

The volunteers are divided between security and actors. The security personnel help ensure that maze visitors are kept safe and the actors dress in Patterson’s 34 costumes to scare people in the two haunted mazes and the haunted house.

Patterson said some people question why people would pay to walk through corn at night.

�People who have been around corn come out and say, �I can�t believe people pay to see corn,� but when they come out (of the maze), they say �Oh, I get it now,�� said Patterson.

He said the corn itself provides a unique experience.

�This is reality,� he said. �This is real corn. The wind blows and you really hear that corn rattle.�

Patterson has one “unhaunted” maze for children and school classes to visit. The maze can be used as a teaching tool when clue cards are used to help find the end of the maze. The cards are divided by subjects ranging from topics like agriculture, history, and even Bible trivia. Correct answers take maze-goers one step closer to the end of the maze. During the maze operation period (from late September until the end of October), this maze can be experienced anytime throughout the day.

There is one scary maze for young children, the Little Reaper’s Field. Inside children will see a large illuminated spider, a jack-o-latern, and even a bobbling, bright ghost. Patterson, who firmly believes in creating the best family experience he can, said the effects seem appropriate for the young children.

�It�s enough to make the kids stop and look, but not terrify them,� he said.

The first large haunted maze is called the Reaper’s Field. Hidden in pitch-black corn rows are masked monsters, some mind twisting props, a fog machine, and two tunnels. Visitors are not touched, only haunted in the maze by creatures that rush from all directions to keep the fun moving. Patterson said the dark corn is the scariest part for some visitors.

�It makes it spookier �cause you can�t see what�s coming,� he said.

In the second haunted maze, the “Field of Screams,” visitors find a similar situation, but are guided through an old, eerie travel trailer, complete with some unexpected surprises and props the get their minds rolling.

The “House of Dementia,” is a three-dimensional haunted house and maze. Those who dare travel through the barn-like structure wearing 3-D glasses. Inside they find fluorescent paint that reaches out into the room. A surprise is hidden around every corner and clowns may not to be their usually cheerful selves.

In addition, Patterson offers a hayride on the site and a bounce house for children.

Patterson said it’s impossible to put words on the reactions people have when they have toured the mazes and the haunted house. He said that people of all ages particularly enjoy touring through the corn at night.

The enthusiastic operator has made a job of scaring people, but said he does not always understand why people liked to be spooked.

�Truthfully, I have no idea,� he admitted. �I guess it�s the excitement of it all.�

Patterson said he was confident visitors would enjoy the experience of roaming through the corn and visiting the three-dimensional house.

�In my opinion, it�s awesome,� he said. �It�s a lot better than a haunted house.�

If visitors agree, Patterson may earn enough to purchase the property. If he reaches his goal, he plans on adding a paintball field to the back of the property so area children, and Patterson, will have something to do throughout the year. It will be more work, but he looks forward to it.

�I love it,� he said. �I wish I could just sit right here and retire doing this.�

Still, he acknowledged that plans do not always unfold and the future is still quite uncertain.

�If not, I guess I�ll have to go and find me a job,� he said. �I guess it�d probably be easier than this is, but this is more fun.�

The Haunted Z Maze is located near Caddo Mills off the I-30 service road at exit 83. The unhaunted maze can be experienced anytime. The haunted activities begin at dusk and last until midnight. The last night of operation will be Halloween night. Adult prices are $10 for each maze or house experience. Hay rides and children’s prices are discounted. Group rates are available. For more information, visit www.hauntedzmaze.com.