An idea over a year in the making has come to fruition in Ainsworth. J.W. Bowen, who moved to Ainsworth from Colorado, had seen and participated in corn mazes in his previous state, and he decided he wanted to bring something similar to his new residence.

Bowen proposed the idea to his local Elks Lodge in Ainsworth, and though the Lodge was unable to put the plan into place in time for last year.

“We started planning to do it last year, but it kind of got on top of us a little bit, but that kind of got the ball rolling for this year,” said Brandon Evans, Exalted Ruler of the Ainsworth chapter of the Elks Lodge.

The corn maze is located on Bill Carr’s land, located one mile east of Ainsworth on the south side of Highway 20, which is farmed by Sherm Goochey. Both Carr and Goochey are members of the Elks Lodge. Bowen designed the maze and implemented his plan in early July.

“He designed it free-hand,” Evans said. “He took his kids out there one day in his Bobcat and told them where to stand and when to move. He didn’t use GPS or anything like that.”

The maze opened up at the beginning of October, and it will be open every Saturday in the month from 1:00 p.m. until dusk. On the final two Saturdays of the month, there will be a haunted maze after dark. In addition to the maze, there will be kids’ activities, family photos and concessions. The Elks Lodge is also working with the Ainsworth chapter of the FFA to sell pumpkins.