Fall is certainly here. And, if you aren’t clutching a pumpkin spice latte, chances are you’re scrolling on your phone, looking for the perfect fall outing. While there are many local options throughout gorgeous Whatcom County, this might be the year to look a little farther afield. If you are seeking a fall road trip or are simply hitting the road for a soccer tournament, consider heading south to explore the beauty at the other end of the Puget Sound – Thurston County. While you are there, experience a favorite local fall tradition at Rutledge Corn Maze in Tumwater.
The Rutledge family has owned and farmed their land in Thurston County for generations. And, while it has gone through many different iterations of farming, the family holds true to their roots, still growing corn. Only now, this corn provides entertainment for all ages throughout the fall season.
“Our family migrated here across the Oregon Trail in the 1800s and we’ve been farming in the area ever since. That’s the short version,” Robby Rutledge says laughing. His grandfather was a cattleman and an employee at the Olympia Brewery. However, raising corn was much easier than raising cows, he quickly realized. For thirty years, you could find Grandpa Rutledge selling the family’s fresh corn at The Olympia Farmer’s Market throughout the season.
In 2000, the Rutledge family decided to convert their enterprise to a corn maze. At the time, corn mazes were nearly unheard of and the Rutledges were at the forefront of the growing trend. Initially, designs were cut into the fields after the corn had matured. This was labor and resource intensive.
“We were the first corn maze in the world to be planted in the maze pattern (instead of cutting the pattern after the stalks matured),” says Robby. Maze Play, a company who specializes in GPS, computer-aided planting, takes the Rutledge design and loads it into their software. The tractor can plant the five acre parcel in roughly eight hours. “It’s really down to a science. Sometimes I don’t have the design down fully, maybe I only have a few pictures but the result is always better than I thought it would be,” says Robby.
Themes over the years have included the Washington State Capitol Building, the Statue of Liberty, an image of Marshawn Lynch, a design based on Twilight – Breaking Dawn and a design in partnership with O’Bee Credit Union. This year, the design highlights a Thurston County treasure.
Partnering with Experience Olympia & Beyond – the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau – this year’s maze features the Thurston Bountiful Byway logo. “We’re trying to bring more attention to this wonderful sixty-mile stretch of farmer’s markets, wineries, farms and other great local attractions,” says Robby.
The Byway is a “must-see” if you are visiting Thurston County. While you don’t need to do the entire loop, checking out a section or a variety of stops along the route will give you the flavor and feel of the region. The Rutledge Corn Maze is one stop on this scenic loop that includes wineries, pumpkin patches, shops, restaurants, parks, distilleries, farms and more.
Moira Davin, director of marketing and communications for Experience Olympia & Beyond, headed up the collaboration and sees the maze as the perfect way to share they Byway. “Featuring the Byway in the corn maze is a great way to spread the word about all the great fall events along the Bountiful Byway,” says Davin. “Families can share memorable moments while they pick a pumpkin, take a hay ride, sip award-winning apple cider or find their way through a corn maze.”
The maze includes checkpoints highlighting different attractions along the Byway. As a visitor, you’ll learn some of the lesser known facts about the state capitol region through a series of stops. You might find one that sparks your interest, and a visit, after you are done.
Rutledge Corn Maze is also full of family fun with the Farmer Joe Mystery Game for the youngsters, pumpkins, treats, a Haunted Maze at night for the brave souls in your group and Zombie Paintball for the adventurous. Both the Rutledge Corn Maze and the Bountiful Byway seek to create positive activities families can enjoy together, making their partnership this year a no-brainer.
“We hope that the Byway corn maze will inspire visitors to explore the other fall festivals along the tour, most not far from Rutledge, and experience all the Byway has to offer all year round,” adds Davin.
To plan your visit to the Rutledge Corn Maze and check out this year’s Thurston Bountiful Byway design in person, visit them online.
To learn about all the fun, fall events along the Bountiful Byway in addition to the Corn Maze, visit the Byway’s events page and wind your way through our beautiful backyard.
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