Lakeland Corn Maize - Cornfusion

So this afternoon I decided to check out the Smith Family Corn Maize in Lakeland and I can definitely say it is worth the money. For $10.00, you get a hayride, two shots with the Corn Canon, and a corn maze to navigate through. Don't worry, you wont get lost. Price for children is $8.00.

This is the first year this farm in the Green Swamp has offered the maize and they promise that next year will be even better. Also offered at this event is the "Corn Box" (a "sand" box full of corn kernels that kids love), a Jumping Pillow (the biggest bouncing area I've ever seen for kids), pony rides ($5.00), a pumpkin patch, batting cages, a small hay maize for smaller kids, a tractor pull ride for kids (called the cow train) , and several other activities.

The food was excellent. I bought an ear of sweet corn covered with butter and salt for $2.00, fresh cotton candy ($2.00), and fresh boiled peanuts ($2.00). There goes my diet. They also have food available from Fred's family buffet.

Bathrooms are available if you don't mind using portables and for a little advice bring extra hand sanitizer as I did not see any sinks.

Parking is free, but I got "cornfused" and walked all the way to the activities and missed the ticket booth near the parking area. I had to walk all the way back (go figure). Good news thought, they take credit or cash!!!

One thing I was surprised at was the corn stalks were brown and there was no corn on them. During the hayride, we were advised that the corn stalks were so brown due to the amount of water in the ground and it being the "green swamp" area did not help either. Do not be surprised, adults can see over the majority of corn stalks at the beginning of the maize. Towards the end, the stalks are higher.

This farm has almost 300 acres and has several rare African cows called Ankole-Watusis. They have the largest horns I have ever seen which are worth more than their meat which is very lean. On the hayride, the owner of the farm advised that he had lived here for 30 years and has suffered from the poor economy. Watermelons and even beef are no longer popular in this area. It is cheaper to ship the cow to the western part of the states to be fed than to ship the grain to Florida.

This Corn Maize may be just what he needed to keep this place afloat. Bring your kids or your inner kid and enjoy. The event is open the rest of October on October 23, 28, 29, and 30th at 13444 Moore Rd, Lakeland, Fl.