A little bit country, a whole lot of corn: Dolly Parton tribute at Manalapan farm
The massive corn maze has been in the works for weeks at Happy Day Farm.
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Long before Dolly Parton’s death, a Manalapan farm had been “workin’ 9 to 5” to create a tribute to the country music legend in an unlikely place: a Monmouth County cornfield.
This fall, visitors to Happy Day Farm can wander through a corn maze inspired by the country music icon. The project actually took shape weeks before Parton’s death on Tuesday. Since earlier this summer, farmers had been working to intricately carve Dolly’s image and the words “American Treasure” into the field. The corn maze grew from an effort to make people more aware of Parton’s Imagination Library program, which provides new books to children.
“Thank you, Dolly Parton, for working alongside us and other family farms to share awareness about your Imagination Library,” Happy Day Farm wrote shortly after news broke of her death. “What was supposed to be a celebration is now a bittersweet memory of your amazing accomplishments throughout the years. You truly are a great American treasure.”
Parton was apparently aware of the corn maze project and had previously sent Happy Day Farm owner Tim Stockel a video, which was shared on the farm’s social media pages. In the video, Parton encourages people to visit the attraction.
“Grab your friends, gather up the family and come on out to one of my favorite farms for a little fun, laughter and a real good reason to get lost,” the country singer said.
In a comment on Instagram, the farm said its mazes are actually planned in January.
“We were fortunate we were able to partner with Dolly and her team before she passed,” Happy Day said.
The corn maze officially opens to the public on Sept. 19 on Iron Ore Road in Manalapan.
