As the weather turns colder and the corn grows taller, Colonel Cob’s Corn Maze in Oxford is preparing to open on Sept. 11, with an all new maze and several new attractions.

This year the 7-acre maze will be shaped like a ship and those trying to navigate their way through the maze will have to know their water trivia. Co-owner Emy Mitcham has written water-related trivia questions about the uses of water and famous bodies of water and placed those questions at 10 checkpoints throughout the maze. A right answer will lead on to the next checkpoint, while a wrong answer may send a lost traveler round in circles.

In addition to the maze, Colonel Cob’s will have traditional hayrides, a bon fire, pumpkins for sale from the patch, and tours of the farm’s crops and animals.

Some new attractions include helicopter rides, pony rides, a corn cannon with targets, a giant slide, an inflatable cow jumper and a mountain of sand containing treasure. Mitcham said she is also trying to set up a spooky hayride for the weeks leading up to Halloween.

Mitcham said a new barbecue business in Mansfield will be running the concession stand: Where’s the Smoke Barbecue and Catering owned by Sandy and Terry Treadwell.

In addition to the entertainment aspect, Mitcham said she and husband Tommy are always trying to provide educational activities for children and school groups, like educational movies and audio recordings about farming and farm life. She said the farm is a working farm and pumpkins and other items will be for sale.

Mitcham said she is declaring September Hero Month at Colonel Cob’s. All three weekends the maze is open in September, the 11, 18 and 25, all teachers, military personnel, law enforcement officers, EMTs, firefighters and youth leaders will get into the maze free with their ID badge.

Tickets start at $8 for the maze and at $4 for the hay rides. Combined tickets are available. Helicopter and pony rides cost extra.

For any more information about the maze visit colcobscornmaze.com or call Kevin or Emy Mitcham at (770) 855-6563 or (770) 786-8805.