Lyman Orchards 18th Annual Sunflower Maze Sets Opening Date of July 27th

Annual Maze Raises Money for Connecticut Children’s Foundation

Middlefield, CT - Lyman Orchards, a family-owned popular New England destination for over 275 years, has announced that its annual Sunflower Maze will open on July 27th, 2024. Nearly one mile of paths surrounded by 350,000 yellow, orange, and red sunflowers make up a design based on the mascot for Hartford’s Double-A minor league baseball team, the Yard Goats. Lyman Orchards has once again partnered with Connecticut Children’s Foundation, donating $1 of each ticket purchase to the Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will commence at 9AM on opening day of the Sunflower Maze. The Hartford Yard Goats mascot, Chompers, will be present from 9am-11am to take photos with maze-goers.

The 3-acre maze takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and will be open daily from 9AM until 4:30PM and runs from July 27^th to August 25th. The maze offers visitors the opportunity to see butterflies, yellow finches, and a beautiful scenic backdrop of the surrounding orchard hills. Admission costs $11 for adults and $6 for children ages four to 12. Children under three will be admitted for free.

Lyman Orchards is continuing its partnership with the Connecticut Children’s Foundation – a health network that focuses exclusively on the health and well-being of children. Over the past 17 years, $193,419 dollars have been raised for Connecticut Children’s through the annual maze.

“Each year, we look forward to the joy and happiness that the Sunflower Maze brings our visitors,” says Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President, John Lyman. “Additionally, the maze highlights the important work that Connecticut Children’s does for our community day in and day out, and supports them as they treat children in need.”

“The Hartford Yard Goats are excited to be chosen for the design of the Lyman Orchards Sunflower Maze,” shares Tim Restall, President of the Hartford Yard Goats, “This collaboration celebrates two beloved Connecticut traditions – sunflowers and baseball – offering a one-of-a-kind summer experience for families and fans alike.”

In addition to walking through the Sunflower Maze, visitors may cut their own sunflowers for $4 per stalk at the maze location in a separate field. After completing the maze, guests are encouraged to partake in pick-your-own activities in the family-friendly orchard and stop by the Apple Barrel Farm Market for fresh food and baked goods, as well as soft-serve ice cream.

For more information, visit lymanorchards.com.

About Lyman Orchards:

Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick-your-own fruit orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 nine-hole course, one of the top golf-training facilities in the state of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

About Connecticut Children’s:

Connecticut Children’s is the only health system in Connecticut 100% dedicated to children, providing more than 30 pediatric specialties. Kids and parents love the exceptional care offered at 40+ locations in three states, and through Video Visit. Connecticut Children’s experts and community leaders are committed to breakthrough research and innovative partnerships which have won them multiple awards. They are Magnet recognized, a designation only 7% of hospitals achieve, and the Women's Choice Award has recognized Connecticut Children’s as Best Children’s Hospital and for best pediatric emergency care.

Connecticut Children’s is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to improve access to health care for all children.

###

Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction Opens September 29th at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield, CT - Lyman Orchards, a family-owned popular New England destination for over 275 years, is proud to host the Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction this fall.

Evidence of Evil-goers will have the opportunity to partake in an interactive haunted house featuring nightmares and Halloween-themed frights that will send them running for the trails.

The haunted attraction is open from dusk until 10pm on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the last week of September and all of October. A matinee version will also be available to introduce younger children to haunted houses and get them into the Halloween spirit.

Tickets will only be available online. The attraction is rated PG-13; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. A portion of the proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“We had so much fun! It was nice and scary and the special effects were awesome!” said Madison Cruz, a prior year’s Evidence of Evil attendee. “The actors were really engaging and are great at what they do.”

New attractions added to the event this year include “The Witch’s Castle”, “The Basement”, and “Wraiths”. Each attraction features costumed actors who will send shivers down visitors’ spines as they enter the Evidence of Evil premises. "We are incredibly excited to be continuing our haunting tradition with Lyman Orchards and creating an event that is truly memorable, and most importantly, frightening,” said David Belas, owner and operator of Evidence of Evil LLC. “Over the past year, we have been hard at work developing scenes and scares based solely on guest feedback from previous seasons. You will laugh, you will scream, and you will participate...or else."

“At Lyman Orchards, we are happy to be the home of fall activities for everyone to enjoy,” states John Lyman, Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President. “We are pleased to once again be hosting Evidence of Evil and are so excited for what’s in store this year.”

Visitors at Lyman Orchards this fall can also pick their own apples and pumpkins, purchase fresh baked goods at the Apple Barrel Farm Market, and dine at 1741 Pub and Grill.

For more information, visit lymanorchards.com.

About Lyman Orchards:
Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick-your-own fruit orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 nine-hole course, one of the top golf-training facilities in the state of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

Lyman Orchards Sets Date for St. Jude Summer Music Festival

Middlefield, CT— Lyman Orchards, a family-owned popular New England destination for over 275 years, is proud to be the venue for the 30th Annual Fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, hosted by the St. Jude Connecticut Network.

The musical festival will take place on Saturday, August 26th from 12PM until 5PM at the Apple Barrel Farm Market. The event will feature free live music from various local bands and performers. Festival-goers will have the option to purchase craft beer from the beer garden and a bite to eat from food trucks.

“We are so thrilled to be the home of the 30th Annual Music Festival and to share this day of fun activities and excitement with so many families,” states Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President, John Lyman. “The work that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital does is truly incredible, and we are proud to support them and their fight against childhood cancer.”

“I always look forward with much joy to the annual Lyman Orchards and St. Jude Hospital Music Festival,” said Tony Raucci, President of St. Jude Connecticut Network. “It’s so much fun and the Lyman team always makes you feel like family.”

The event will also feature activities including pick-your-own apples and pears, the 2023 Sunflower Maze, a silent auction, Henna by Elyse, and more.

For more information, visit lymanorchards.com.

About St. Jude Connecticut Network:
The St. Jude Connecticut Network encourages mutual support among diverse, statewide St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraising activities. By unifying individual efforts, the Network strengthens an appeal’s overall effectiveness and maximizes annual statewide contributions, furthering the mission of St. Jude in Connecticut. For more information, visit stjudectnetwork.org.

Lyman Orchards Voted Best Pick-Your-Own Farm And Public Golf Course in Connecticut

Middlefield, CT—Lyman Orchards, a family-owned popular destination for over 275 years, has been named the best PYO farm and public golf course by Best of Connecticut 2023 voters. Each year, Best of Connecticut asks voters to cast their votes for businesses in different categories.

This year, Lyman Orchards was recognized for their stunning golf courses and seasonal PYO farm.

Lyman Orchards offers seasonal picking on popular fruits and vegetables including strawberries, apples, blueberries, pumpkins, and more. The public golf course includes two 18-hole courses, a 9- hole course, and venues that are available to book private events which overlook the course.

In addition to having two championship golf courses, Lyman Orchards offers golf lessons, practice facilities, and outings year-round, with options for memberships and golf leagues. Visitors can also enjoy a trip to 1741 Pub & Grill, a restaurant that offers live music and dining options after a round of golf.

“Thank you to those who took the time to vote for us,” says John Lyman, Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President. “It’s an honor to be recognized for all of our hard work, and we will continue to make Lyman Orchards a place for everyone to enjoy all year long.”

*Source: Best of CT

About Lyman Orchards:

Situated on 1,100 acres in Middlefield, Connecticut, Lyman Orchards is a year-round family destination. Established in 1741, Lyman Orchards offers a variety of recreational activities and venues for adults and children of all ages—including pick-your-own fruit
orchards, a farm market, seasonal mazes, 36 holes of championship golf, a par-29 nine-hole course, one of the top golf-training facilities in the state of Connecticut, 1741 Pub & Grill, meeting and event space, and seasonal festivals. For more information, call Lyman Orchards at 860-349-1793 or visit lymanorchards.com.

The Salvation Army to Kickoff National Donut Day At Lyman Orchards

Connecticut – On Friday, June 2nd , The Salvation Army will be kicking off Donut Day at Lyman Orchards, located at 32 Reeds Gap Road in Middlefield, at 9:00 a.m. After a brief press conference, Salvation Army personnel will depart with their supply of donuts that will be served to veterans, VA employees, reservists, and active-duty service members throughout Connecticut.

The distribution sites include the Department of Veterans Affairs located at 287 West Street in Rocky Hill, the Newington Veterans Medical Center located at 555 Willard Avenue, and the Veterans Medical Center located at 950 Campbell Avenue in West Haven. Lyman Orchards is donating 700 donuts for National Donut Day.

National Donut Day is celebrated each year on the first Friday of June (June 2nd), but people may be surprised to learn that donuts do more than simply taste good. They can actually do good, too.

The Salvation Army established National Donut Day in 1938 to honor The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies,” who made history when they risked their lives to raise spirits and fuel hope by serving thousands of soldiers during WWI, in part by delivering donuts and other sweet treats to those in the war.

In 1917, Salvation Army volunteers traveled to France and set up makeshift huts on the front lines, where they provided essential goods and sweet treats to boost morale. The donut was then, and continues to be, a taste of home and a symbol of comfort for Americans.

More than a hundred years later, The Salvation Army is still serving on the front lines, now through a wide range of social services for America’s most vulnerable individuals and families. In 2022, The Salvation Army served over 460,000 meals to those in need in Connecticut.

“Lyman Orchards is proud to be working with The Salvation Army to support our veterans and active service members on National Donut Day,” said John Lyman, Executive Vice President of Lyman Orchards. “What better way to celebrate than with our cinnamon cider donuts, which are voted consistently as Connecticut’s best donuts.”

“As the citizens of Connecticut celebrate National Donut Day, we are proud to remember that this fun tradition of sharing a sweet treat and a happy memory started with our very own volunteers over a hundred years ago,” said Major Debra Ashcraft, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army’s Southern New England Division. “If you ask me, knowing that the day has its roots in the fight for good and serving those on the frontlines makes those pastries taste even sweeter.”

The Salvation Army will be hosting the following National Donut Day activities, serving veterans, VA employees, reservists, and active-duty service members.

Newington Veterans Medical Center
555 Willard Avenue, Newington, CT
Late morning

Rocky Hill Department of Veterans Affairs
287 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT
11:30 a.m.

West Haven Veterans Medical Center
950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT
Late morning

For more information about National Donut Day, to find out more about local activities, and to donate, visit: ctri.SalvationArmy.org
For a wide array of historical and modern Donut Day images, B-roll, and our original century-old donut recipe, click here.

About The Salvation Army USA
The Salvation Army annually helps 30 million Americans overcome poverty, addiction, and economic hardships through a range of social services. By providing food for the hungry, emergency relief for disaster survivors, rehabilitation for those suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, and clothing and shelter for people in need, The Salvation Army is doing the most good at 7,600 centers of operation around the country. In the first-ever listing of “America’s Favorite Charities” by The Chronicle of Philanthropy, The Salvation Army ranked as the country’s largest privately funded, direct-service nonprofit. For more information, visit SalvationArmyUSA.org. Follow us on Twitter: @SalvationArmyUS and #DoingTheMostGood

Lyman Orchards Donates $34,807 to American Cancer Society

Middlefield, CT – Lyman Orchards, a popular family-owned New England destination for over 280 years, is pleased to share a recent $34,807 donation made to the American Cancer Society using a portion of the proceeds from their 2022 Corn Maze.

Each year, Lyman Orchards hosts a Corn Maze in the fall that brings New England families and friends to the orchard. Over the course of 23 years, Lyman Orchards has donated a total of $731,891 to the American Cancer Society.

“We are proud to support the American Cancer Society and their mission to help those fighting cancer,” states Lyman Orchards Executive Vice President John Lyman. “We thank the team at the American Cancer Society for all the work they do for cancer patients and survivors each day, and are happy to help in any way that we can.”

“In 2023, more than 1.9 million new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States and more than 600,000 Americans will lose their fight to cancer. The American Cancer Society is deeply grateful for our continued partnership with Lyman Orchards.” shares Lizzy Givan, Executive Director of the American Cancer Society New England Division. “Thanks to our shared vision, Lyman Orchards is working to help the American Cancer Society advance its mission through advocacy, research, and patient support in an effort to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive cancer.”

The 2023 Corn Maze is currently slated to open on Saturday, September 2nd.

For more information, visit lymanorchards.com.

About the American Cancer Society:
The American Cancer Society is on a mission to free the world from cancer. They invest in lifesaving research, provide 24/7 information and support, and work to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. For more
information, visit cancer.org.