Let's get this out of the way up front: when it comes to horror movies, I am a great big sissy. We're talking face-buried-in-the-pillow, squeamish little spaz. So it should not come as a big surprise that I've lived my life quite happily avoiding "The Shining" - that is, until just recently. See, my partner in crime made me believe watching it would be crucial to my perspective for writing this story. In reality, however, all it did was confirm the following: 1) I am a big scaredy-cat; 2) Shelley Duvall has the biggest teeth ever; and 3) despite my name not being Danny, there is now no way you will ever get me to set foot into an outdoor labyrinth.

For those whose overactive imaginations won't paralyze them into stasis among the stalks, below is an overview of a few of the corn mazes found at local farms. Most have diversified their offerings to include a full slate of seasonal family attractions, apparently dubbed "agri-tainment." I did not make that up, I swear. Make sure to get out there quick, because the season is coming to an end faster than you can say "frost."

Long Acre Farms on Eddy Road in Macedon stakes the claim as the first to bring a corn maze to the state. Over the past 12 years, Long Acre has developed its set-up into the best the area has to offer.

With a design in hand from American Maze Company, a five-acre swatch of corn is planted in the spring in a pre-determined, themed design. Previous themes have been "Erie Corn-al" and "Space Cobbessy," and continuing the bad puns is this year's "Music to our Ears," which contains a Victrola, an iPod, a treble clef, and other tune-related items within the design.

But this maze isn't just a wind-your-way-though endeavor. Hidden within the winding trails are games, puzzle pieces, and other clues to decipher in order to solve the maze. With a DJ playing music, it all combines to create a high energy, highly competitive environment.

Finish first? Good for you. "We say you have bragging rights all the way to the parking lot," said third-generation farm owner Joan Allen. "After that, no one cares."

Long Acre also has its "Back 40" attractions, such as a bounce pillow, giant sling shot, and more. More importantly it offers the Apple Cider Slushy. Instant brain freeze with each bite, but you won't care. It's just that addictive.

See longacrefarms.com or call 315-986-4202 for times and admission. Maze recommended for 12 and up.

Wickham Farms on Fairport Nine Mile Road in Penfield offers a super kid-friendly and fun maze. Plowed from a four-acre field of corn, colored ribbons offer coded clues on how to get through. Each maze-goer is also given a sealed hint, which they may open if they are stumped. Along with the maze are hay rides, an 18-hole mini golf course, a jumping pillow and many other attractions to keep all ages enraptured for hours. A country store offers seasonal fare along with delicious Wickham Farms sauces and pumpkin butter. I want to go back just to get one of the lumina pumpkins - a white gourd that would make a heck of a jack-o-lantern. See wickhamfarms.com or call 377-3276 for times and admission.

Sadly, our plans to visit Zarpentine Farms on Burritt Road in Hilton never materialized; however based at the 2008 map of their "MAiZE" they still have online, it looks large, fun and fairly intricate. It's also one of the few that is regularly open for "Moonlight Mazes" on Friday and Saturday nights. This could either be really fun, or an excuse for the locals to run amuck amongst the corn, hollering for someone named Danny. Call 392-3611 for more information.

Others to check out for family fun include the ever-popular Brown's Berry Patch in Waterport and Cobble Creek Farm in Spencerport.