As Halloween approaches, scary fun can be found right in your own backyard…or at least, in the backyard of Reading resident Branden Moyer. Since 2014, Branden’s company, Homecare Solution, has sponsored an annual Halloween haunt. This year, Moyer decided to design, construct and operate his own home-based version: Corn Stalkers, a one-of-a-kind haunted corn maze. The 4,000-square-foot attraction boasts more than 2,000 corn stalks, unexpected twists, turns and terrors, and a cast of actors dedicated to giving guests the scare of their lives.
Corn Stalkers was designed and built over a two-month period, with the enthusiastic support of the Kenhorst Borough Council. Until Moyer purchased the property behind his house with a Halloween vision in mind, the land on which Corn Stalkers is built was a neglected junk yard for 30+ years. Moyer decided to give the property a second, spooky chance at life, and even repurposed some of the junk for the attraction itself.
Recycling isn’t the only positive impact Corn Stalkers is making on the community. In addition to bringing together the public for Halloween fun, Moyer’s attraction donates a third of the general admission price that each guest pays to the Spirit of Children Foundation. The organization is dedicated to “making hospitals less scary for kids and their families.”
Branden’s inspiration for Corn Stalkers came from his time in Orlando, Florida, where he visited Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights every fall. Though a longtime horror fan, it was in sunny Florida that Branden first decided to try his hand at haunted attractions himself. He wanted to provide a thrilling haunted experience for guests of his own. This year, Corn Stalkers is allowing him to continue his Halloween dream for the first time in Pennsylvania.
Corn Stalkers is open to the public every Friday and Saturday of October from 7 to 10pm, with a general admission fee of $3. The haunt is located at 1469 Hancock Blvd., Reading, PA 19607. On Oct. 29, the attraction will offer a special Blackout Event – a chance to navigate the maze and its horrors in total darkness, with the aid of only your friends and a glow stick. This special event will carry a $5 admission price.
Community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and Corn Stalkers only continues to gain popularity. This Halloween season, don’t miss your chance to experience this uniquely thrilling local attraction.
