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Each person has their own vision of an ideal fall day. For some, it might be drinking apple cider or their favorite pumpkin-spiced drink while getting cozy at home. For many New Mexicans, the ideal fall includes a weekend trip to the Mesilla Valley Maze, 3855 W. Picacho Ave, in Fairacres. The 2024 season begins on Saturday and will run until Oct. 27.
“The Mesilla Valley Maze started in 1999 as just a corn maze run by Anna Lyles and George Newman, the former owner of Guacamoles,” said Joanna Salopek, the office manager of Mesilla Valley Maze Lyles Farms and daughter of Anna Lyles. “Unfortunately, George passed after the first year of the maze, but Anna kept with it. She has turned the place into a fall destination for school groups and the general public.”
Entering its 26th season, Mesilla Valley Maze offers a variety of activities for guests to enjoy including a slide, country store, rubber duck races, corn maze and a hay ride to the pumpkin patch. The maze has several pumpkin patches to avoid crowding. This allows guests to really evaluate the pumpkins for size and weight.
At Pumpkin Junction, you pay for the pumpkins you picked yourself or you can choose from the pumpkins on display. Pumpkin Junction offers a large variety of gourds and squash not only for a spooky jack-o-lantern but also for all your fall baking needs. There are also paint kits for sale.
“Honestly, Las Cruces does not have much to offer in terms of fall events, so the maze is really the place to be in the autumn,” Salopek said. “Plus, with something for every age, kids and adults. It provides families with a place to spend time together – I think that’s one of the biggest draws.”
As the event has grown, so have the activities. A recent addition is a field where visitors can pick fresh flowers. Guests purchase either a small vase to pick cosmos and zinnias for $10, or a large vase for $25 that allows you to pick cosmos, zinnias and sunflowers. The flower field adds specks of color to the farm with vibrant hues of violet, yellow and maroon. Oftentimes, guests find themselves greeted by butterflies admiring the flowers just as much as they are.
This season, Salopek noted that they will be debuting their corn barn, a 1,200-square-foot building filled with dried corn for families to play in, much like a sand box. This activity will be included in regular admission.
“We’re one of a kind. Simply being the only pumpkin patch and corn maze in the city makes us stand out; not to mention that it is the location for those fall family traditions,” Salopek remarked.
Throughout the season, Mesilla Valley Maze will host weekend festivals. All the activities and entertainment are free and located on the main stage.
On Oct. 5-6, the farm will host a fall festival hosted by Ed Montana. Events for this weekend include a hula hoop contest, stick horse races, watermelon eating contest and more. During both days, there will be live music from Ed Montana, Mesilla Valley String Band and The 2 of Us.
The final weekend, Oct. 26-27, will feature the Pumpkin Festival, also hosted by Ed Montana. Activities for the festival include a pumpkin pie eating contest, Tour de Maze adult trike races, pictures with the Pumpkin Princess and more. Live music will be provided by the University of Texas at El Paso Las Flautistas, Mesilla Valley String Band and Ed Montana.
“We are so thankful for our community and their continued support of the Mesilla Valley Maze. We are looking forward to another great season,” Salopek said.
Ticketing and more information on Mesilla Valley Maze are available online via MesillaValleyMaze.com.
