O-Mazing October in the Valley

Organizer: Jim Blanchard (Course Planner)

Come join us for this unique autumn event in the corn maze at Noggins Farm! This is a night orienteering experience with a Score-O format, meaning you’ll need a headlamp or other suitable illumination. Participants choose which controls they wish to visit within the 45-minute timeframe.

The Schedule:

5:30pm Registration Opens

6:15pm Safety Brief/ Registration Closes

6:30pm Mass Start

7:15pm Time Limit (points are lost if you return over time)

Start and Finish will be nearby the registration table.

The Venue:

Each year, Noggins Corner Farm creates an 8-acre interactive corn maze, with a new theme. This season, they are honouring Indigenous culture and art with their “Mi’kma’ki” theme. You will journey through the incredible works of Artists Alan Syliboy, whose petroglyph art makes up the maze design, and Gerald Gloade, whose creations can be found at their game stations. Navigate through twists, turns, and bridges while discovering the rich history of the land and its original Mi’kmaq inhabitants. Be sure to visit our page on Mi’kmaq culture to learn more!

We are grateful to Noggins Farm for the use of the maze. More details about the Farm and Market are here: https://nogginsfarm.ca/

The Courses:

This will be a Score-O event.

Participants will be given their maps at registration. Any time between when you register and the start is available to review the map and plan strategy.

For a Score O event a series of control points are scattered across a map. Each control point on the map will have a value ranging from 10 to 30 points. Point value varies with difficulty. Most points in the fastest time wins.

All controls will be open to all competitors. There will be controls suitable for beginner, intermediate and advanced participants.

There will be a time limit of 45 minutes to complete the course.

Distances will vary due to the nature of the event.

VOLUNTEERS would be appreciated for a few tasks associated with the event (e.g. Registration, control pickup). Please see here to sign up.

Registration:

Prior to participating in an event, all participants must have completed the one time Orienteering NS registration form and the Orienteering Canada waiver as part of registration process.

Once membership and waiver are completed, register for courses by completing the process at the registration site linked here and above.

REGISTRATION LINK

Please ensure you register via this link by midnight THURSDAY, October 24, 2024 to ensure a map is printed for you. On-site check-in will take place on site from 5:30 to 6:15 pm.

Last minute registration: This can be done on site, but we typically only have a few extra maps; because we didn’t know you were coming. Also, pre-registration allows the on-site details to move more quickly.

Need Orienteering Kit before the event? Visit the O-Store!

Questions: (some may be answered below)

nsorienteering@gmail.com

Entry Fees:

The following are the fees for this event (pre-registered), add $5 for day-of registrations:

$10 per adult (21+)

Youth and children under 7 participate free in this event!

How to Pay:

In advance (preferred):

• By credit card as part of the registration process linked above
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to the following email: nsorienteering@gmail.com
  • If you choose this method, complete the online registration process. At checkout, please enter the following coupon code: PAY_EFT_2024 so that you appear on our registration list.

In person:

• In cash; a payment container will be available. Please bring correct change.
  • If you choose this method, complete the online registration process. At checkout, please enter the following coupon code: PAY_CASH_2024 so that you appear on our registration list.

Note: all of the above is restated in the registration process.

Weather:

We run rain, snow or shine. Local thunder will typically be accommodated by a short delay. That said any weather involving a Hurricane or Tropical Storm coming straight over will result in a reschedule.

Snacks: A small post race treat will be available, but participants should bring their own water if needed.

Parking:

Parking will be at the Noggins Farm Corn Maze lot.

Washrooms:

There are port-a-potties on site.

Directions:

See the map below. Registration and Start Finish will be at or near the entrance to the maze, close to the maze parking lot.

Location