Plant City Family Business Supports Family Fun

Futch Entertainment’s Fox Squirrel Corn Maze is giving families the opportunity to make new memories this October.

From pony rides to hayrides, anyone can get a taste of the ranch life no matter where they are from. Janet Futch, organizer of the event, explained that the Fox Squirrel Corn Maze is much more than just an event put on by the family business.

“Just to watch these city people come from the beach area, which we love to go to, but they love to come to the ranch, is what really makes us happy,” Futch said.

According to Futch, most of the people who attend aren’t from the area. Families come from Pinellas and Hillsborough County, Bradenton and Orlando. Despite the fact that many visitors are from far away, the business stays true to what makes Plant City special.

“It means a lot to Plant City, for the growth and for people to have diversity of things to like getting out on the ranch and doing things with their families,” Futch said.

No matter where a family is from, there are enough opportunities for anyone to have a good time.

Two of the crowd-favorite activities on the ranch are the corn maze and the hayride, according to Futch. The shortest path in the corn maze is half of a mile, and the entire maze is about 2 miles. The time spent in the corn maze is completely dependent upon a guest’s navigation skills.

“It depends on you,” Futch said. “If you start getting lost and getting back into the same tractor tire, then it could be a little while.”

Visitors to the ranch can ride ponies or horses, see cattle and goats and explore the butterfly garden. Kids can paint rocks and pumpkins, make sand art and buy balloon art. Guests can also play games such as corn hole, badminton, duck racing and dummy steer roping. Futch Entertainment also puts a fun twist on the traditional sandbox. Instead, children can play in a box of corn kernels.

“The kids just love it,” said Futch. “It’s a lot of fun.”

When visitors start to get hungry, the smell of pulled pork, boiled peanuts and Cuban sandwiches fill the air and entice guests to grab a bite to eat. For those with an aching sweet tooth, ice cream, strawberry shortcake, jellies and honey are also for sale.

Different vendors are scattered across the lawn, displaying their unique products. Some sell food items, like homemade peanut and pecan brittle, while others sell art or knick-knacks. Before leaving, families can pick out a pumpkin from the patch and take pictures in the hay bales.

“The pumpkins are beautiful, pretty in orange color, with beautiful stems on them,” Futch said.

Despite last year’s small turnout due to Hurricane Irma, the Futch family expects a large turnout this October. Futch said that the family has prepared for and is hoping to have several thousand people come.

“It’s a family event,” Futch said. “We put a lot of hard work and labor hours into this. Our hearts and souls are in this every October for these families that come out and visit.”

The Seventh Annual Fox Squirrel Corn Maze is located at 3002 Charlie Taylor Road and is open weekends Oct. 6 to 28 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m

All gifs created by Molly Urnek using imgflip.com.