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.

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