Returning for its seventh season, Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm has a new twist on its corn maze. If one is able to get a bird’s eye view, a horse design is seen to give a nod the American Quarter Horse Association’s 75th anniversary in 2015.
“We wanted to go ahead and kick off the year a little bit early,” Sarah Davisson, Senior Manager of Publicity and Special Events for the AQHA, said. “Especially with sharing this opportunity with the community, because there’s more than 24,000 people that go through the maze and pumpkin farm each year. It’s a great way to share our passion in the American Quarter Horse.”
The process of cooperation between the AQHA and Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm began in February and completed in July and August with final preparations. Larry Borger, owner of Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm, initiated the cooperation between the two organizations.
“I thought about [teaming up with AQHA] for the last couple of years and actually had a connection from a lady from church that I go with,” Borger said. “I asked her about it, who I need to talk to in their marketing department and see if there might be an opportunity there. I had a meeting with that department, we got the ball rolling and came up with a design that was awesome. That’s how it all came together.”
Borger also said that it takes all year to put together the Pumpkin Farm and its festive atmosphere each fall.
On Sept. 27, Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm opened for the season and converted an 80-acre stretch of land north of Canyon into a fall festival – complete with mountainside ziplines, an obstacle course, hayrides and the Golden Goat Bridge.
“There’s 20 plus activities going on,” Borger said. “It’s a neat time for families to spend together.”
During the season, the AQHA plans to sponsor some events at Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm.
“There’s some fun, horse incorporated events where you can learn a little bit more about the history of the American Quarter Horse and what it truly is – it’s the more versatile breed and AQHA is the largest equine association in the world,” Davisson said.
Also included is Maxwell’s Market, where fall decorations such as pumpkins and gourds are sold along with Maxwell’s Munchies, which feature many familiar country fair foods.
Beginning in 2007, Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm grew from its initial five-acre plot, and simply growing pumpkins, into a weekend event aimed toward providing fun for the entire family.
“We did very minimal advertising and five-dollars-all-you-can-carry-out-pumpkins,” Borger said. “We had a lot of people showing up and have a lot of fun. That really started the whole deal with that little pumpkin patch.”
The AQHA is celebrating its 75th year with a series of events. It begins in in Fort Worth with the induction of its Hall of Fame class of men and horses and will host its final event in Amarillo in July.
“We definitely have a lot of plans in the works,” Davisson said. “We will be incorporating those within the next year. We have our National Day of the Cowboy in July every year. It helps gets kids on horseback who have never been on horseback. It’s going to be a fun year, so everyone should stay tuned for what’s in store.”
Maxwell’s Pumpkin Farm is open until Oct. 28, hosting school field trips during the week and open to the public from 5 to 9 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Entry is $10 per person, while children two and younger are free.