With longtime New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter retiring this year, members of the VonThun family have decided to honor him the best way they can — through a corn maze.
“My son Tim and a lot of our employees are fans of Derek Jeter,” owner Cindy VonThun said.
The Jeter theme was “something different” for the annual maze, she said, noting that Jeter is an “all-around great guy that we all have much respect for.”
Carved into the farm’s 5-acre corn maze — with stalks reaching 6 to 7 feet high — is a likeness of the Yankees legend, the No. 2, and the words “Thanks Captain Clutch.” The tribute, in partnership with Greater Media radio station Magic 98.3 FM, features 4 miles of twists and turns, along with interactive family activities.
“Derek Jeter is admired by many, even those who don’t like baseball or the Yankees,” said Jeff Rafter, program director and operations manager at Magic 98.3 FM. “He did it the right way — [through] hard work and class. He has received many tributes and gifts this year as he plays his final season.”
The farm’s themed corn mazes began in 2008. Each year, the owners come up with a rough draft of a design, which is then plugged into a computer program. Utahbased MAiZE Co. makes the design a reality, VonThun said.
This year, the company did a walk-through in July and cut the maze.
VonThun said she has not heard anything from Jeter’s camp regarding the farm’s tribute.
The inaugural corn maze in 2008 was themed for Farmers Against Hunger, a New Jerseybased organization seeking to preserve and enhance agriculture and related activities through educational and promotional programs.
Other themes have included the Rutgers University football team and Brothers Helping Brothers, through which firefighters help the families of other firefighters who have been injured or killed in the line of duty. In 2013, the corn maze was themed around the farm’s 100th anniversary.
Along with the corn maze, VonThun Farms features apple and pumpkin picking. Other activities include hayrides, inflatable bounces, farm animals and more. This year marks the farm’s 26th season of offering what it calls family “agri-tainment.”
The maze will be open Sept. 20 to Oct. 31. Additional activities are offered on weekends only. Weekday hours of operation are 1-5 p.m., and weekends are 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Weekday maze admission is $8. Weekend farm admission is $10.95, which includes 20-plus activities and the maze. The Fall Festival is scheduled for Oct. 11-12, with admission of $13.95 per person. The farm is located at 505 Ridge Road, Monmouth Junction.
For more information, visit www.vonthunfarms.com.