Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze Gives Nod to U of St. Thomas
If you noticed trees beginning to show hints of color, that means fall is here, and the Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze is in full swing.
Bert Bouwman, the developer of Minnesota’s largest corn maze in Brooklyn Park, has changed things a little this year to allow for ultimate flexibility. First off, the farm and marketplace are open seven days a week.
“We have the largest selection in the fall decorations. We have all the pumpkins, colored pumpkins,” said Bouwman.
He and his family have been running the fall festival now for 11 years. Not only is there a near endless selection of pumpkins, but Bouwman is on hand to give you tips on the best types of gourds for decoration and cooking.
“That is a really really good eater. So it looks good,” Bouwman told one visitor, referencing a rose-colored gourd. “You can use it ’til the end of October and that eats very well.”
The fall home decorations don’t stop with pumpkins.
“We have apples, we have straw bales, corn stalks, mini-pumpkins. Whatever you need for your fall decorations,” said Bouwman . “And mums, we have a large selection of mums.”
Corn Maze Decorated for the Tommies
Surrounding the marketplace, of course, is the largest corn maze in Minnesota. The object of this year’s design centers around the University of St. Thomas.
The University of St. Thomas is honored in Minnesota’s largest corn maze this fall at Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze
The university, based in St. Paul, is celebrating a move up from Division III to Division I sports this year.
“St. Thomas is moving up in the football divisions, and last year we had the University of Minnesota,” said Bouwman. “So St. Thomas is close by. Let’s work together with them this year, and that is what we are doing.”
While the farm and activity area are open every day, the corn maze is only open on the weekends. You can, however, go on hayrides through the sunflower field every day.
The marketplace and food truck area are free of charge, but there is a charge of $6 on the weekdays and $10 on the weekends for the activity areas.
Bouwman said the giant corn pit was by far the most popular attraction at the Harvest Festival.
The Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze is open daily through Oct. 31. Hours are on weekdays: Noon – 6 p.m. On weekends & MEA: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
For more information, go to the Twin Cities Harvest Festival and Maze website.
