Corn Mazes Across North America Celebrate ‘Peanuts’ Creator Charles M. Schulz’s Legacy
whacker with a saw blade on it when the corn was fully grown,” he says. “Now we do it when it’s short and we go in and either mow it or rototill it. We design it all on a computer, but most of it we actually just go draw it out on the ground by hand.”
Over the years, Herbst and his team have designed mazes featuring everything from presidential candidates and Oprah Winfrey to zombies and John Wayne. However, the “Peanuts” characterThis summer and fall, visitors to corn mazes across the U.S. and Canada are greeted by a familiar, joyful sight: Snoopy. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the beloved comic strip “Peanuts,” more than 80 farms have teamed up with Peanuts Worldwide to create themed corn mazes that honor the iconic characters and their creator, Charles M. Schulz.
From California to New York and Ontario to Texas, these mazes span 35 states and provinces, offering fans of all ages a chance to experience the magic of “Peanuts” in a unique and interactive way. At Dull’s Tree Farm in Thorntown, Indiana, a massive Snoopy lounges atop his doghouse, while at Downey’s Farm in Caledon, Ontario, he’s joyfully perched on a pumpkin.
Jill Schulz, the daughter of Charles M. Schulz, is thrilled by the tribute. “All of these events help keep my dad’s legacy alive,” she says, noting the incredible artistry involved in designing these mazes. “As someone who can’t even keep houseplants alive, the fact that they can do that with a corn maze and get the artwork right and create a fun experience for all ages is pretty incredible,” she adds with a laugh.
These “Peanuts”-themed mazes are expected to draw over 2 million visitors, adding to the farms’ seasonal attractions like hay rides, fresh produce, and pumpkin carvings. Each maze is custom-designed for the size of the farm, ranging from 1.5 to 20 acres, and includes both corn and sunflower mazes. The intricate designs are crafted by The MAiZE Inc., the world’s largest corn maze consulting company, led by Brett Herbst.
Herbst, who started his first corn maze in 1996, explains that while technology has evolved, much of the maze creation still involves hands-on artistry. “The first year we did it, we just used a weeds are a particularly natural fit for the harvest season. “It’s very nostalgic and just seemed like a very natural fit from the get-go to embrace that with ‘Peanuts,’” Herbst says. “It’s kind of become this iconic thing.”
Creating a successful maze is both an art and a science, requiring a balance between maintaining the integrity of the image and ensuring that the maze is challenging enough for visitors to get lost in. “That’s definitely a challenge,” says Herbst. “You want to accomplish both as much as possible.”
“Peanuts,” which debuted on October 2, 1950, quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The comic strip’s enduring images—Charlie Brown trying to kick a football, Snoopy flying his doghouse, and Lucy offering advice for a nickel—have been cherished by generations of readers. Today, phrases like “good grief” and “security blanket” are part of our everyday language. Although Charles M. Schulz passed away in 2000, his legacy lives on through these timeless characters.
Jill Schulz is especially excited about how these corn mazes offer children a chance to disconnect from their digital lives and enjoy simple, old-fashioned fun. “It’s great to have an opportunity to just bring kids to events that are old school, because it’s also important for parents and grandparents to introduce something they loved to do as a child,” she says.
In a world dominated by technology, these mazes offer a rare opportunity for families to put down their phones and spend quality time together. “I think we all need a little innocence for our children right now,” Schulz adds. “We need a little ‘put down your phone and go out and have some good old-fashioned, old-school family time.’ I think that’s important.”
