LA VERNIA, Texas – A massive maize maze in La Vernia won’t be open for the fall season this year due to a record-breaking drought.
Circle-N-Maze in La Vernia has been open to the public for fall festivities for five years, but severe heat over the summer coupled with the lack of rain has shuttered the farm this season.
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“We are sad because so many of our customers enjoy coming out. We enjoy meeting people from all over the state, and often out of state,” farm owner Caylin Herley told KSAT via email.
Herley said the farm is not the main source of income for her and her husband, but called it a fun hobby they both enjoy.
“Our particular area in Wilson County received only a fraction of the rain we normally get, and we still remain in a severe drought. While we do have irrigation, it is meant to supplement rain, not be the main source of water for any crop,” Herley said. “We did not feel right using thousands upon thousands of gallons of well water to try to get our corn crop to grow for this maze season.”
Herley told KSAT that the irrigation was instead used to plant hay so their farm animals had food to eat.
“The price of diesel has gone up, and fertilizer has also skyrocketed. We are praying that next year we get plenty of rain, and can continue our fall tradition,” she said.
The family has grown the corn maze for guests to visit every year since 2016, with the exception of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Previous corn maze designs have included a “Wizard of Oz” theme and a giant sugar skull.
The family also typically has a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, picture stations, a mini-maze, hay bales for climbing and food trucks for visitors to enjoy.
“Providing clean family fun is our main goal, and we are excited to come back next year,” said Herley.