Recently on the Guelph Line property, a six-acre maze was cut into the cornfield. Coming on the heels of the opening of its fruit market, Stonehaven Farms is creating a local attraction for Halton families, said Heidi Trenwith of the farm owned by brothers Bill and Bob Trenwith and their families. Heidi is Bob's wife.

"With a growing agri-tourism industry and the rising costs of fuel, people need places close to home for fun and entertainment," she said. "As well, the fruit market encourages residents to buy local produce. Not only can we support the purchase of food within 100 miles of where we live, we can have a farm fresh experience right in our own backyard."

Having been raised on a dairy farm, Trenwith treasures her childhood memories of playing among the corn stalks. After hearing about the Ontario government's 'Maze Craze' program, she thought it would be fun to honour those memories and cut a large maze in their cornfield. Although there are other mazes built in Halton, there isn't a corn maze of this size, she said.

"Using a GPS-guided tractor, we cut through the dense corn hopefully in the shape of a large tractor. There will be four separate locations set up within the maze, each designed to educate maze explorers about strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and cranberries. We expect people to have a lot of fun with it," she said.

When the maze opens in late August, Trenwith said guests will buy tickets for the maze at the fruit market and will be issued a bracelet with the Stonehaven Farms website on it telling them to 'Now go get lost!' Guests will then be taken by wagon ride to the corn maze and be dropped off to explore. She's hoping to add to the experience in future years by possibly hosting a Halloween-themed night centred around the maze.

"Being the first year, it will be a lot of fun but somewhat basic. We will be making improvements each year and adding on to make it bigger and better," she said.

This is also the first year for the Stonehaven Farms Fruit Market, which opened Friday.

A six-generation farm, Stonehaven has been a strawberry wholesaler for years, but also offered ready-picked berries at a roadside stand this past June, which helped the fruit market evolve, Trenwith added.

"It will start with local produce, some brought in from other farms, as well as baked goods, some kitchen gadgets and gourmet items like jams and preserves and real cream soft serve ice cream."

Trenwith added the farm is making a strong effort to be 'green' with both initiatives. "We are using paper boxes and bags and will be recycling at every opportunity. We really want to start out on the right foot."

She said there will be a few tables set up inside the market for customers and a small play area with a sandbox for children outside. She said that, like the corn maze, she'd like to add onto the market and the farm to include a craft time for children, educational farm tours, and pick-your-own berries.

The fruit market is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information on Stonehaven Farms Fruit Market and corn maze, visit the website at www.stonehavenfarms.com or call (905) 878-1870.