Getting Lost With Dolly Near Kitscoty

Anyone heading down Highway 16 between Lloydminster and Kitscoty this summer may have noticed there is something a little different growing in one of the fields.

Dolly Parton, complete with her guitar, books and butterflies, has taken over the Maizex Corn Maze for 2026.

The eight-acre maze, located on the Headon family farm near Kitscoty, is celebrating Parton this year while also raising money for something that was very close to her heart; Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

From the air, the maze is quite a sight, with Parton’s face worked into the design. From the ground, visitors get rows and rows of corn and the task of figuring out how to get back out.

This is the third year for the Maizex Corn Maze, which came about in a fairly farm-like way.

The Headon family had already been growing corn for cattle feed and winter grazing when some of their sheep wandered into the corn and spent a few days getting lost. The family figured if the sheep enjoyed getting lost in the corn, maybe people would too.

Last year’s maze featured country singer Lainey Wilson, and this year Dolly became the star of the field.

But the Dolly theme goes further than simply putting her picture in the corn.

A portion of the proceeds is being donated to the local Imagination Library program through the Lloydminster Learning Council, with donations also being collected at the maze.

The program provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to five years old, with a new book arriving in the mail each month.

Parton started the Imagination Library in 1995 in honour of her father, who could not read or write. Since then, the program has grown around the world and put millions of books into the hands of children.

Maizex owner Rhonda Zuk Headon said Parton represented many of the things they value on the farm, including hard work, humour, kindness, family and country roots.

The maze was one of 20 Dolly Parton-themed corn mazes created across North America this year and one of only two Imagination Library-themed Dolly mazes in Canada.

The farm also held Dolly Days from Aug. 28 to 30, when pink, glitter, butterflies and Dolly-inspired outfits were encouraged. Representatives from the Lloydminster Learning Council were also on hand collecting donations and handing out books.

For those tackling the maze, it generally takes anywhere from about 25 minutes to an hour to make it through, depending on how well you navigate the turns — or how stubborn you are about admitting you took the wrong one.

There is plenty to do once you find your way out as well, with a corn pit and sheep races new this year, along with duck races, giant bubbles, pedal tractors, farm animals, barnyard games and the Marshmallow Farm.

The maze continues through the fall, giving families plenty of time to head out and see just how good their sense of direction really is.

This year they may be getting lost with Dolly, but along the way they are also helping put books into the hands of local children. That combination makes getting a little turned around in the corn well worth it.