09/24/2026
Dundas corn maze celebrates Dolly Parton with tribute and charity book drive
Hanes Corn Maze will host “Dolly Daze” and encourage book and monetary donations to support Imagination Library Canada
Hanes Corn Maze
Hanes Corn Maze has a Dolly Parton theme this year.
Cathie Coward/The Hamilton Spectator
Laura-Sebben
By Laura SebbenReporter
Hanes Corn Maze is turning a country music tribute into a way to give back.
This weekend, Hanes, which is one of Canada’s largest corn mazes — spanning eight hectares — is hosting “Dolly Daze,” a celebration in honour of the late, iconic country artist Dolly Parton.
The event kicks off on Friday, Sept. 25 (9/25) at the Dundas locale along Hwy. 5, the date chosen as an unofficial nod to Parton’s classic hit single from the movie she also starred in, “9 to 5.”
Dolly Parton maze overhead
This year’s fall maze at Hanes Corn Maze honours the late country music icon, Dolly Parton.
Hanes Corn Maze
Hanes is using this weekend’s launch to rally support for children’s literacy, both locally and nationally, to make the maze theme more meaningful in light of Parton’s passing.
Visitors are encouraged to bring new or gently used books to donate at the farm. The collected books will go directly to an inner-city school that visits the maze each fall for reduced-cost field trips.
“She has been in the country music community for a very long time, and it’s just a nice kind of tribute to honour her because of all the good that she’s done,” Hanes spokesperson Vanessa Groen said.
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Additionally, the maze is accepting monetary donations for Imagination Library Canada, a book-gifting charity founded by Parton.
Hanes Corn Maze has partnered with the Lynden Lions Club and Rockton Lions Club, which promote Imagination Library locally, and all donations will be directed to them so they can buy books for kids in the Hamilton area.
“A portion of our sales from the entire weekend will also be going to the Imagination Library,” Groen said.
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Dolly Daze
Visitors can search through the maze for 17 checkpoints and collect codes for the chance to win a prize.
Cathie Coward/The Hamilton Spectator
Aside from navigating the eight-hectare Parton-themed puzzle, families attending this weekend can enjoy Dolly-themed music playing throughout the grounds, butterfly-themed colouring stations for kids (Parton loved butterflies and frequently used them as symbols), and visits with farm animals.
Visitors can also stop by the on-site Tiny Shop Bakery for banana-flavoured ice cream and milkshakes — a sweet tribute to Parton’s favourite dessert.
“Dolly Daze” runs Friday through Sunday, but the Parton-themed maze will be available to traverse through for the remainder of the season.
Entry to the maze must be purchased when you arrive and admission costs range from $15 to $22, depending on the attendees’ ages.
Hanes Corn Maze hours
Friday & Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Last admission at 8 p.m.; maze closes at 10 p.m.)
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Last admission at 5 p.m.; maze closes at 7 p.m.)
