The Dark Crop Haunted Corn Maze Review (2016)

The majority of the cast is made up of dedicated, passionate performers from the local improv theater groups. Director, Chad Zingales, tells me each actor is given the basic framework for what the story is and they are charged with developing the ins and outs of their own characters. ‘It’s an amazing process to be a part of seeing how people’s creativity can take them to new, theatrical levels.’ There are twelve main cast members and a handful of fill ins to keep the suspense in check. They have always been crazy redneck killer farmers, but every character has their own story. There is a lot of comfort in knowing that many of the actors in the Dark Crop are legitimate, career-minded talent. You will never hear just screams or yells unless it’s from one of their victims. All actors are very interactive and never shy away from an opportunity to prove they are more than just a typical teenaged screamer.

Much like how the actors work with the director to develop their own characters, the same goes for their wardrobe and makeup. Costumes are designed in a collaborative process between the actors and director to best match the character. To stay true to the spirit of The Dark Crop, the makeup has stayed traditional with mostly pale faces and blacked-out eyes. Blood splatters and contact lenses and teeth are what sets the difference between character’s faces and they all do a great job. I don’t believe I saw any masks when I went through. The actors are much too devoted to establishing their characters to be muffled by a mask.

Tickets can be purchased at the farm stand during business hours. The farm stand is hard to miss because it’s literally the brightest thing you’ll see all night. Parking is free and alongside the road but you have to be very careful on this dark stretch. I do wish there was a way to make parking a little more comforting or at least some signs to direct you where to go when you arrive. But, because they stay true to the element of ‘Dark’ with the lack of light and direction, I find that to be part of the haunt’s charm. From the farm stand to the beginning of the corn field is a 500+ yard walk with only the smallest little tea lights in old fashioned lanterns to guide your way. Much of the corn field itself is lit like this. You are given a small key chain flashlight to help you make your way. At no point do you ever feel in danger but you are constantly cautious of where to step. Although if something bad were to happen (ex: sprained ankle, panic attacks) it is tough to see where the nearest exit is. Easy enough to say just walk through the corn but unlike most other fields, The Dark Crop’s corn isn’t in aisles. Again, this is part of its charm. Not to mention you can shop for pumpkins and squash and all kinds of fresh organic local produce if you make it out alive. Cider and the best pumpkin whoopee pies are available inside the farm stand as well.

After parking and exiting your vehicle all you will be able to hear is the screams and laughs in the distance. The entire property, other than the farm stand, is pitch black. It is one thing when you can hear the laughing and chainsaws and music on the other side of a fence where you park. There is something super creepy when you can stare into a black sea of corn and only hear what you can describe as a massacre. It is a long walk from the ticket booth to the trail. More often than not you will be walking with just the group you came in with. The screams get louder and louder the further you walk into the fields still not knowing where exactly they are coming from or what is causing them. This year The Dark Crop introduces a great intro. Group by group you are forced onto a blacked-out bus and for a few minutes you hear nothing. Suddenly the entire bus screams bloody murder and they exit through the back. The whole time you are in line you are wondering what the hell is going to happen when they finally shove you inside. The cornfield is a series of thick tall corn stalks constantly brushing against you while you check your surroundings for what could be lurking. There is quite a few surprises in the corn field that fit the story of the maniacs that inhabit The Dark Crop. You will just have to trust me when I say corn is not the only thing you will be crawling through.

Chad Zingales describes his haunt in the best way possible: ‘The Dark Crop is a self-guided tour through a dimly lit corn field, in the middle of nowhere. A group of demented harvesters, farmers, mechanics, and outcasts await as guests proceed single file through the stalks. You can scream; you can hustle; you can cry; you can pee……but you better NOT touch the corn!!’ Sometimes the crazies are crazy just for the sake of being crazy and that is frightening enough. My favorite saying from any haunted attraction is ‘Don’t touch the corn.’ I repeat this rule when I walk through the fields every year. The group I travel with might say it gets a little annoying. This year the wonderful actors at The Dark Crop made my dreams come true by writing a song all about it, and now it’s my ringtone and I have no more friends.

The thing I love the most about The Dark Crop is that you really don’t know when and where something is going to happen. As a seasoned haunt tourist it becomes easier and easier to predict what is about to happen. Most cornfield paths are cut wide and the stalks grown short but The Dark Crop has always kept it tight and tall. There is hardly any spots cut out in the corn specifically for actors to hide in. They are always IN the corn. The scenes just creep up on you when you’ve been walking in the corn for three minutes and suddenly BOOM an RV in the middle of nowhere. Instincts would tell you that someone is waiting for you inside but at The Dark Crop they could be outside, underneath, on top, nowhere in sight and it’s different every time you go through. They are masters at keeping you nervous the whole way through.

Given the creepy aspects of just getting to the line of the main attraction I would say the entertainment starts before you get out of your car and doesn’t end till you are far away from the farm. For only $14 ($12 for 12 or younger) you get a twenty minute corn maze filled with menacing maniacs. Have I mentioned the pumpkin whoopee pies and cider? To Die For ‘ literally (but not really, but maybe). If you’re on a diet they have a great selection of fresh picked apples and tomatoes and other produce. Huge selection of pumpkins all different shapes and sizes and colors available at the farm stand. The Dark Crop continues to be one of the great and unique attractions of New England that I have thoroughly enjoyed for the past four years. It has become a staple in the name of New England haunted attractions. A great October even at a great price.