Jonamac’s corn maze marks Bears’ 100th season

MALTA – Autumn is the season for apples, pumpkins, hayrides, campfires and football, and this year, visitors to Jonamac Orchard can experience all of their fall favorites in one place – including the corn maze.

Football is the theme for this year’s corn maze as the design pays tribute to the 100th season of the Chicago Bears.

The maze design at Jonamac, 19412 Shabbona Road in Malta, changes every year, with recent schemes celebrating the opening of the orchard’s new cider house, the Boy Scouts of America’s 100th anniversary and Kishwaukee College’s 50th anniversary.

“We decide the design of the corn maze every winter as a family, and we wanted to celebrate the Bears’ 100th annniversary this year,” said Jonamac co-owner Jenna Spychal. “Being so close to Chicagoland and having the owners of the Bears live in DeKalb County, we thought it’d be a great opportunity.

“We contacted the Bears for permission for the design, and the opening of the corn maze coincided perfectly with the start of football season,” she said.

The corn maze is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27 as well as on Columbus Day, Oct. 14.

Admission to the corn maze is $5 for children and adults, with children younger than 2 admitted free.

On Friday and Saturday nights in October and on Sunday, Oct. 13, visitors to the orchard can visit a haunted version of the corn maze.

The haunted maze is recommended for ages 13 and older and tickets cost $13 a person. Flashlights will not be allowed in the haunted corn maze, only glowsticks or pen lights.

“The corn maze is a great activity for family, friends or co-workers,” Spychal said. “A corn maze is a fun and challenging team activity. You have to work together to read the map and navigate through the maze. There are quizzes at different intersections, with correct answers leading you in the right direction.

“Every year, the [corn maze] design changes, and we’re always finding new ways to challenge our visitors,” she said.

For information about Jonamac Orchard and its corn maze, visit www.jonamacorchard.com.