RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – A northeast Kansas farm has been selected as one of only 20 farms in North America to participate in a Dolly Parton-themed corn maze campaign.
Andrea DeJesus with A & H Farm south of Manhattan said in a Sept. 21 press release that the farm has been selected as one of 20 farms in North America to participate in the “Dolly Parton: Get Lost with Dolly” Country Music Corn Maze campaign, which supports Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.
DeJesus said A & H Farm was selected to participate in the campaign prior to Parton’s death in August this year at the age of 80. This year’s campaign coincides with the 31st anniversary of Parton’s Imagination Library, which was founded in 1995.
“When we learned that A&H Farm had been selected as one of only 20 farms to be part of this project, we were incredibly excited,” DeJesus said. “We thought we were getting the opportunity to celebrate Dolly with families from across Kansas. We never imagined that by the time our maze opened, it would also become a way to remember her. It makes this year’s maze incredibly special to us.”
DeJesus said the 20 mazes are located in 15 states and two Canadian provinces. The MAiZE Inc. is creating the mazes for this campaign. Each participating farm will donate a portion the proceeds from the campaign to support local Imagination Library programs, which help provide free books to children from birth to age 5.
“We are beyond humbled to honor Dolly’s legacy, joining the world in mourning the passing of a true American treasure,” said Brett Herbst, founder of The MAiZE Inc., designer of the 20 mazes. “Dolly’s impact on the world and her love for farming is immeasurable and our corn maze tributes now take on new meaning and significance, as we honor her and her beloved Imagination Library.”
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DeJesus said visitors at A & H Farm will be able to visit the maze starting on Sept. 26 at the start of the farm’s annual Fall Festival. She said guests navigating the maze will look for clues and play an interactive game that tests how much they know about Parton. The maze will also feature Parton-themed music, photo opportunities and more.
“Dolly had an incredible way of connecting with people,” DeJesus said. “She never forgot where she came from, and she used her success to give back to children and families. Farms are places where families come together and make memories, so being able to share her story here feels very special.”
A & H Farm is located at 1374 Collins Lane in Manhattan. For more information about A & H Farm, head to its website.
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