University Marketing & Communications: Mike Rigert (801) 863-6807
Written by: Cheryl Kamenski (801) 863-6351
A giant corn maze of Utah Valley University mascot Willy the Wolverine will be visible from high in the air and explored by many on the ground on Sept. 2 as Payson and Elk Ridge residents combine with UVU alumni to celebrate UVU Day in kicking off the communities’ Onion Days.
Willy the Wolverine, UVU cheerleaders, multicultural dancers, an airplane display and an alumni booth where UVU alumni can sign up for free alumni cards are a few of the activities scheduled for the festivities on Sept. 2 beginning at 5 p.m. The first 100 people to arrive will receive a UVU Willy the Wolverine backpack full of free giveaways and those who sign up for a UVU alumni card will be entered into a prize drawing.
“We are very excited to celebrate UVU Day with Payson and Elk Ridge and to participate in Onion Days festivities,” said Carol Walker, UVU community alumni program manager. “These communities have been incredible to work with, and we encourage UVU alumni to come out to the fun activities.”
Payson Mayor Rick Moore and Elk Ridge Mayor Ed Christensen will join UVU officials and Willy the Wolverine to kick off the event. A portion of the funds raised from the corn maze will go to a UVU scholarship for a Payson or Elk Ridge resident in order to give back to the community.
“UVU is excited to connect with residents and alumni in Payson and Elk Ridge while helping celebrate this community’s long-standing Onion Days festival,” Walker said.
The corn maze, a first in south Utah County that will be open through Halloween, will take participants through the UVU letters and then through the head of Willy the Wolverine
“Payson mapped the design for the corn maze and farmers Guy and Greg Larsen planted the corn,” said Walker. “Two weeks after the corn grew out of the ground, the GPS coordinates were used by Mayor Moore to plow it into the UVU design.”
The maze will be open from Sept. 2 through Oct. 31 on Monday, Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $5 per person or $4 with a UVU identification or alumni card. Admission is also $4 per person for groups of 10 or more. Parking is free and there will be a concession stand with hot dogs, drinks and other goodies at the corn maze. To get there, take the south Payson exit (Exit 248) from Interstate 15 and head west. Directional signs will be posted along the way.
