One of Connecticut’s oldest family businesses is paying tribute to the record-setting success of the UConn Women’s Basketball team.
Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, owned since 1741 by the Lyman family, has designed its 11th Annual Corn Maze to celebrate the back-to-back perfect seasons of the 2010 NCAA champion Huskies. The maze is laid out with images of Hall of Fame head coach Geno Auriemma and Jonathan the Husky, and the words “Go UCONN, 78-0.” The maze is open through Oct. 31.
The corn maze is an annual attraction for visitors in the late summer and early fall at the 1,100 acre farm, which is known as one of the most scenic areas in the state. Families visit the farm’s orchards to pick apples, peaches, pears, berries, and pumpkins. The site also has two of the finest public golf courses in Connecticut. An admission fee is charged for the maze, with $1 from each ticket donated to the American Cancer Society. Over the past decade, donations have totaled $269,000.
In the past, the corn maze design has often featured themes related to the farm and its businesses, including golf. In recent years, themes have included topical designs such as ecology and Spider-Man.
“This year we thought about what is unique about Connecticut and known nationally,” said John Lyman III. “It seemed a great time to highlight the Women’s Basketball team and the 78-0 streak. What they’ve done is pretty remarkable, and it’s something we’re all proud of in Connecticut.”
A special feature of the Lyman Orchards maze is a “passport system” of placards that poses questions about the theme of the design. This year, there are multiple choice questions about UConn women’s basketball. There are also 78 placards highlighting each game of the team’s record-setting winning streak.
Lyman said that as many as 38,000 people visit the corn maze annually.
“We hope the women’s basketball theme will bring people in from various parts of the state and region and maybe break a new attendance record,” he added.