Hot days of summer mean corn maze taking shape in Dawson Co.

DAWSONVILLE - The long, hazy days of summer signal the start of preparation for Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Dawson County.

Opening weekend for the 2012 season will take place Saturday, September 1-Monday, September 3 (Labor Day weekend), ushering in an 11th consecutive season for the family-operated agri-tainment complex.

The intricate pathways of the maze will be carved among living cornstalks later this summer, allowing kids of all ages to get lost in a sea of green and yellow plants. This year's corn maze design will feature a Halloween-themed collage with Broomhilda the friendly witch in flight over a haunted house and pumpkin field.

Special events that are planned this year include Foster Family Day September 8; Sunflower Celebrations Sept 14-16 and 21-23; Boy Scout Weekend Sept 29-30; Girl Scout Weekend Oct 6-7; and "Husks of Horror" Haunted Maze every Friday and Saturday in October.

Every July since 2002, Mike and Roxanne Pinzl have had approximately 352,000 kernels of corn planted on a 12-acre field next to the Etowah River. By opening weekend on September 1, the corn will be close to 10 feet high and will have three sets of trails carved among its stalks to serve as entertainment for more than 40,000 adults and children. The Pinzls' continue to use MazePlay, Inc for the design and cutting of the maze trails all 10 years. MazePlay, based in Idaho, specializes in designing and cutting cornfield mazes in 40 states.

Returning on the festival grounds will be the Kiddie CORNer. This free activity area includes Tire Mountain, Tower Goat Walk, Soybean Maze and the Picnic Pavillion. The tractor-drawn hayrides this year will feature a new 60-passenger wagon complete with wooden benches and hay bales. Additional fee-based activities include the Corn Cannon, bonfire area (weekends), festival food vendors (weekends), and Pumpkin Patch (October). Every weekend in October there will also be pony rides and face painting.