As Election Day approaches, some in our area are finding creative ways to get people to the polls. One of the most interesting ways we've seen is through a cornfield. It's in the town of Odum in Wayne County just a few miles northwest of Jesup.
Genell and Tanya Poppell opened Poppell Farms eight years ago. "We got into the field trips and there were some school teachers that encouraged my wife, saying they needed a place to carry children on school trips," says Genell.
Every year they add something new, whether it's the fish pond, animals, the games or the hayride. Genell drives while Tanya narrates.
"Over on this side and behind the parking area you see the corn. This is our cornfield maze," Tanya shows her visitors.
Every year they cut some kind of design into the cornfield. This year it's Uncle Sam pointing at you and saying, "We want you to vote November 2008."
The Poppells tell us they came up with this year's design months ago. Before they realized just how important this election would be.
"We're either going to have our first African American president or our first female vice president," says Tanya.
After dark on the weekends, they turn the maze into a haunted cornfield for teenagers to enjoy. "It gives them a place to go to. Because you know as small as Odum is, it doesn't really have a place for young people to go to," says Genell.
These little ones may not understand the farm's election message, but they do know they're taking home something from this pumpkin patch. "So I can make a big pumpkin pie!" says one preschooler.
Sunday is the last day for this year's event. But until then the Poppells plan to make every minute of each visit a special one.
You can find Poppell Farms' hours by clicking here.
If your community has something special that you think should be showcased on WSAV, e-mail Alaina at aanderson@wsav.com.
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