SPRINGFIELD -- It's that time of year when people get lost on purpose -- in corn mazes. There's a new maze at Rutledge-Wilson Park, an historic farm that's part of the Springfield-Greene County Parks Department.

The farm is just northwest of Sunshine Street (Missouri 413) at West Bypass (U.S. 160).

Here are directions from the farm's Web site:

From I-44: • West on I-44 • Exit on West Bypass- turn left off of exit • Continue South on West Bypass until you reach Farm Road 146- turn right (Bradford Mini Storage on corner) • RW Farm is approximately 1 mile down FR 146 on the right hand side

From Sunshine: • West on Sunshine • Right onto West Bypass • Take first left- Farm Road 146 • RW Farm is approximately 1 mile down FR 146 on the right hand side

The Harvest Fest is Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The fee is $5 for adults, $3 for children ages 5 to 11, and free for kids under 5. You can pick a pumpkin for $4.

For more information, call (417) 837-5949.

The Ozarks Today crew decided to "race" through the corn maze. You can watch the race by clicking on the video icon. Meantime, here's the verbatim of the interview and race. (It's better if you watch it.)

"We're at Rutledge-Wilson farm where they're getting ready to celebrate Harvest Fest this weekend, a big celebration," said Paul Adler, "and we're at the edge of a corn maze, and this is a huge maze. How do you go about doing this? Cut this in the shape you want."

"We planted our corn back in May and we did contract with a company from Kansas City that does GPS corn mazes," said Amy Dooley of the Parks Department. "After it was planted, they came out and started cutting the design, which is a big tractor with the initials RW in the tire."

"So how long do you expect it will take people to get through this?" asked Adler.

"We're expecting it to take about 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. But, we did try to help out our visitors a little bit because there are four scarecrows. The scarecrows are actually pointing in the right direction," said Dooley.

"We have a big challenge this morning. Brandon, Maria and myself -- which person can get through the maze the fastest?" asked Adler.

"Ready, set, go," said Maria Neider.

"How do you get to that path right there? It's called confusion," said Adler.

"It looks like he's slowing down," said Neider. "We're at about 5 minutes 42 seconds now."

"All right, we're pretty sure Paul's lost in the thick of it right now," Neider said later. "So, Brandon, are you warmed up?"

"Ten acres?" asked Brandon Beck.

"Watch out for the guy on the tractor. Ready? Go," said Neider.

"Wow, they're really taking this seriously," said Neider. "Good job guys."

"Yeah, I'm on Rutledge-Wilson farm," Adler told someone on his cellular telephone. "I'm in this corn maze. Yeah, can you help me with directions?"

"I'm going to get you," said Beck.

"All right, time for breakfast, good buddy," said Neider. "I bet those guys are working up an appetite."

"Maybe it's here," said Adler. "Hey, a scarecrow. Yea!"

"The weather guy beat you," said Neider. "Brandon beat you at 11:58, and he started after you."

"All right. Well, I still have a chance not to come in last place," said Adler.

"Maybe," said Neider.