Corn Maze Excitement Benefits Eliada Homes, Inc.
Posted on 9.29.12
Photos by ELIADA
Since September 7, fall has arrived at Eliada in the form of “corn”-y fun. Western North Carolina’s largest corn maze offers annual adventure for both children and adults. Additionally, attendees can participate in other autumnally-themed activities, such as playing in a giant sandbox filled with corn kernels, taking a hayride in a pumpkin, tossing bags in corn hole, and dressing up a scarecrow, among others.
“Coming to Eliada’s annual corn maze has become a tradition for many families,” says Carolyn Ashworth, Eliada’s Director of Development. “The maze trails provide hours of entertainment, but there is so much more for children to enjoy. Last year, the favorite attraction was our giant tube slides. This year, we’ve added a 20 x 20 spider web climb-on, new giant pumpkin men for our corn cannon targets, and a [Spookley] storybook trail for younger children.”
This year, a designated section of the corn maze features activities related to Spookley the Square Pumpkin, a character from The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin by Joe Troiano and the computer-animated movie based on this popular children’s book. Initially isolated by his rounder cohorts, Spookley is bullied by the rest of his patch for his unconventional shape. However, when a storm threatens to blow the pumpkins into a river, Spookley’s shape saves the day. Children can have pictures taken in a special storybook cutout or even with a giant Spookley.
Special weekday hours and rates allow educators to plan school field trips to this event. To book, visit online for the downloadable form, call Nora Scheff at 828.254.5356 x303, or e-mail Nora at nscheff@eliada.org.
All proceeds benefit Eliada Homes Inc., a non-profit agency with community-based services for children and families of WNC. Eliada provides treatments, educational programs, and therapeutic recreational resources that support their mission of “helping children succeed.”
In 1903, Reverend Lucius B. Compton rented a small house to provide for disenfranchised, unwed women and girls. He later extended his programming to include an orphanage. In 1906, he relocated his agency to the land on which it remains today and renamed it Eliada. Some of this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization’s services include Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility Services (PRTF) for children and adolescents, foster care, day treatments at Eliada Academy, as well as afterschool and summer camp programming through the Child Development Center. One of the newest additions is the Eliada School of Trade Arts (ESTA), which is a vocational school and living program for young men transitioning from long-term foster care to independence.
From an aerial view, this 12-acre maze twists in the shape of a biker riding over the letters "NYPUM" (National Youth Project Using Mini-Bikes). Eliada is one of 46 chapters in the nation to host this youth program, which uses mini-bike riding lessons to teach children safe operation of the bikes and simultaneously build their self-esteem and confidence.
Volunteers are always needed to run this event and, for serving three hour shifts, receive a small snack as well as 2 free tickets to return to the event.
This fundraising event is supported by Comprehensive Chiropractic, Asheville Pool & Patio, ING, Asheville Compounding Pharmacy, Parsec Financial, Brown & Brown Insurance, Buncombe County Sheriffs' Department, Rhodes Glass Company, Dr. James Teague, Asheville Financial, HomeTrust Bank, Earth Fare, Robert C. Hunter, Brain Core Therapy, Walgreens, Performance Food Group, Cintas, and TD Bank.
Come and greet Asheville’s beautiful fall season with some outdoor fun while supporting all the life-changing services offered by Eliada Homes, Inc.
Admission for attendees aged 12 and over is $9. Admission for children ages 4 to 11 is $6. Groups of 20 and more pay $7 for each adult and $5 for each child. Hours are 4 p.m.to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays. For more information about Eliada’s annual corn maze, visit fieldsoffun.org or call 828.713.2252. For more information on Eliada, visit online at eliada.org.
