There's a particular kind of joy that comes from wandering a farm on a late-summer morning, corn stalks towering overhead, the smell of a griddle somewhere nearby. Queens County Farm Museum is leaning all the way into that feeling on Sunday, August 30, when it hosts its annual Corn Fest — and this year, the celebration doubles as the grand opening of the return of the Amazing Maize Maze (for its 23rd year!), a three-acre labyrinth cut into the farm's cornfields and sponsored by Con Edison.
The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the farm's Little Neck Parkway location, and organizers are promising an afternoon built for every age — the kind of event where grandparents and toddlers can both find something worth lingering over.
Classic fairground games anchor the day, with cornhole, corn husking contests, and old-fashioned sack races set up across the grounds, alongside a scavenger hunt with a decidedly corny theme. For families who'd rather explore than compete, there's a Corn Talk Table where visitors can dig into the surprisingly rich history of corn, including the story of Native American gem corn, and try their hand at corn-based crafts. Nearby, in the Education Tent, guests can weave their own corn husk wreath to take home — while supplies last.
History buffs might find themselves drawn to the Adriance Farmhouse, where colonial cornbread tastings and recipes will be offered as part of the farmhouse tours — a small, edible link between the modern festival and the farm's centuries-old roots. Local food and drink vendors will be on hand with corn-themed dishes, and a rotating cast of craft vendors will sell handmade goods across the grounds, giving the day the feel of a proper county fair. Kids can also stop for face painting or track down Corny, the farm's festival mascot, for a photo. Hayrides will run throughout the day for an additional six dollars per person, and visitors looking to bring a piece of fall home can browse the farm's selection of mums and seasonal plants at the Farm Store.
The centerpiece, though, is the maze itself. August 30 marks the very first day the Amazing Maize Maze opens to the public, and tickets are required separately from general Corn Fest admission. Cut through three acres of cornstalks that tower well over head height, the maze is designed to be genuinely disorienting — part puzzle, part adventure — and organizers are billing it as a must-see addition to the city's fall lineup. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the farm's website.
Corn Fest has become something of a late-summer tradition at Queens County Farm Museum, but this year's grand opening gives it a fresh reason to draw a crowd. For Northeast Queens families looking for an easy, low-cost outing before the school year fully takes hold, it's a chance to spend a few unhurried hours outdoors, try something a little bit silly, and maybe get a little bit lost — literally — before summer winds down for good.
Good To Know Before You Go
Sunday, August 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens, NY 11004
Corn Fest admission is free; Amazing Maize Maze requires a separate time specific ticket - $17 for adults and $10 for children ages 3-11 - purchased in advance online. Tickets are discounted 15% for members!
Parking is available and there are unlimited bike racks.
Hayrides available for an additional $6 per person.
