Mazing Acres
In 2019, a trip to a Nebraska pumpkin patch sparked the idea to bring a similar experience to Yankton for Mazing Acres owners Molly and Scott Nedved . “We opened in the fall of 2020, and we were hoping to create a place where families and friends could come spend a fall day together, while making the best memories,” said Molly. With over 30 attractions, Molly says they try to add something new every year. The Goat Plex , a playground for the goats, and a themed playhouse area with an old schoolhouse and hardware store, are both new to the 2026 season. The five-acre corn maze, six-acre pumpkin patch, and flower field are accompanied by the popular 150-foot Mega Slide , corn pit, Mega Bounce pillow, and the paintball shooting gallery. Molly says there’s also a plethora of places for photo opps. “We see families from throughout South Dakota, as well as Nebraska and Iowa, and we love hearing that Mazing Acres has become part of their family’s fall tradition,” added Molly. “We want Mazing Acres to be a place where everyone—all ages—can spend a day together.” There are also plenty of interactive games and activities for families to participate in, like the Rolling Races , Tether Ball , Tug of War , Zip Lines , and more. “The best part of the year for us is opening the gates mid-September and finally watching people enjoy everything we’ve spent the year working on,” she said. From planting and caring for pumpkins and corn, maintaining and improving attractions, mowing, painting, building, decorating, and about 100 other things most guests never see, Molly says there’s months of preparation before opening day on September 19. “Once we’re open it takes a lot of people every weekend to keep everything running,” revealed Molly. “We couldn’t do it without our ‘mazing’ staff and the people in our community who help us along the way.” Periodically on the weekends, Mazing Acres hosts live music and face painting, as well as field trips and corporate parties during the week. Molly also heads Mazing Porches —a front porch decorating business that can customize outdoor entryways for autumn. By the time fall rolls around, there are thousands and thousands of pumpkins around the farm. “Our phrase is, “harvest the happy,” and that really sums up what we want Mazing Acres to be,” said Molly. “We hope we have created a place where people can enjoy time together while making the best memories. We hope they leave happier than when they came.” FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT MAZINGACRES.COM+
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