Gourds, meet the speed trap. The pumpkin cannon at the Thamesville Maize, the corn maze farm Ingrid and Ken Dieleman run on Longwoods Road in Thamesville, has been officially clocked at 147 mph.
That works out to roughly 237 km/h of airborne squash, which is a lot more velocity than your average jack-o'-lantern signs up for. (Somewhere on a porch, a carved one is feeling very lucky.)
And no, this isn't a look-but-don't-touch situation. "Bring the family out to shoot your own!" the maze urged. Every shot costs one token, sold at the ticket booth and concession stand.
The cannons opened for the season back in September, when the farm announced, "The wait is finally over!"
The artillery is just the loudest part of a much bigger farm day. The Thamesville Maize opened in 2001 with a 10-acre corn maze, the Corn Awareness Centre and a corn box. These days there's an obstacle course, mini mazes, play areas, a Jumbo Jumper and a Cow Train that, like the cannon, runs on tokens.
This year's corn maze has first responders sculpted into the fields, a design the farm called "a heartfelt tribute to the extraordinary first responders who protect and care for our community every single day." The Big Maze covers 10 acres, so wear shoes you actually like walking in.
The season wraps on Saturday, October 31, which leaves two weekends to get out there. The farm is open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting at 5 p.m. on Friday evenings and 10 a.m. on Saturdays, and running through Sunday afternoons until 5 p.m.
Admission is $18 for ages 4 to 59 and $15 for seniors 60 and up, and kids three and under get in free. That covers the corn maze, the farm yard and the Jumbo Jumper; the cannon is extra.
The concession stand does kettle corn, hot dogs, nachos and s'mores. Picnics are welcome (alcohol isn't), and leashed dogs can tag along. The ticket booth and concession take debit, credit or cash.
Even a little rain closes the Jumbo Jumpers, but the other activities keep running, so dress for the weather.
You'll find it all at 12768 Longwoods Road, and the farm takes questions by phone at 519-692-5451.
Ready, aim, gourd!