In the NEWS…
GOOD GRIEF! IT’S THE GREAT MAZE, CHARLIE BROWN!
PEANUTS WORLDWIDE, THE MAiZE, INC., AND the Kraay Family Farm
CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF “IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN!”
WITH CUSTOM-DESIGNED PEANUTS-THEMED MAZE
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of one of the most beloved, quotable, and unforgettable Peanuts television specials of all time, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Peanuts Worldwide and The Kraay Family Farm are preparing a once-in-a-lifetime celebration: the creation of a unique corn maze, custom-designed to feature Peanuts themes.
The maze, which will feature the 50th Anniversary logo and Charlie Brown, will cover 15 acres! It will be open from July 22 to October 22, 2016. In addition to the maze, the Kraay Family Farm will host a special screening of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! Date TBA.
The farm will also incorporate Great Pumpkin artwork into other areas of their venue, providing the perfect setting for visitor photo ops with the Peanuts characters.
The Kraay Family Farm is one of 85 farms in North America selected by Peanuts Worldwide to create a Great Pumpkin maze this year. Collectively, the farms—which are part of The MAiZE network and span North America in two countries and 33 states, from California to New York, Canada to Florida—will reach more than 3 million visitors during the Halloween season.
“The Great Pumpkin and cornfield mazes are two of the world’s greatest fall traditions, eagerly anticipated by fans every single year, and we’re so excited to bring them together for this landmark anniversary,” said Jill Schulz, daughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz. “As we prepare to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, it’s only fitting that we should find a tribute that’s both joyful and visually compelling, just as my father’s characters have been for more than 65 years.”
“We’re thrilled to work with Peanuts Worldwide and The MAiZE, Inc. as we customize our corn maze to celebrate It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” said Rachel Kraay, one of the Owners of the Kraay Family Farm. “Corn mazes are all about providing a fun and interactive experience for our visitors—even the adults feel like kids again! And that’s exactly what Peanuts does: Aren’t we all kids again when we see Snoopy and Charlie Brown? This is the perfect match of holiday traditions.”
“It’s been a huge pleasure for us to collaborate with Peanuts Worldwide and corn farms across North America to design these unique, custom corn mazes,” said founder Brett Herbst, The MAiZE, Inc. “We’re all fans of Peanuts and the Great Pumpkin, and we’re delighted to honor the 50th Anniversary by having the Great Pumpkin, this one time only, rise out of a corn maze!”
For more information, check out www.kraayfamilyfarm.com
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown: Fun Facts
- Originally aired October 27, 1966
- 2016 ABC airdate: TBA
- Third Peanuts television special to be created by Charles M. Schulz, directed by Bill Melendez, and produced by Lee Mendelson. (It was preceded by A Charlie Brown Christmas and Charlie Brown’s All Stars!)
- Music by Vince Guaraldi, whose famous “Linus and Lucy” theme (made famous by A Charlie Brown Christmas) is heard at the beginning of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown).
- Famous Quotes:
- “Tonight the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch. He flies through the air and brings toys to all the children of the world.” —Linus
- “There are three things that I’ve learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.” —Linus
- “I was robbed! I spent the whole night waiting for the Great Pumpkin, when I could have been out for tricks or treats.” —Sally
- “I got a rock.” —Charlie Brown
- After the special first aired, Charles Schulz reported that distressed fans around the world sent packages of candy “just for Charlie Brown.”
About the Farm
The Kraay Family Farm is heading into it’s 17th year providing fun and adventure for families! The Kraay Family Farm is owned and operated by Ed & Linda Kraay, their son Reuben and his wife, Rachel. The Kraay family is dedicated to providing adventure, fun and a farm for families to connect, explore and create memories!
About Peanuts Worldwide
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family.Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON), owns, licenses and markets a growing portfolio of consumer brands including: CANDIE’S (R), BONGO (R),JOE BOXER (R), RAMPAGE (R), MUDD (R), MOSSIMO (R), LONDON FOG (R), OCEAN PACIFIC (R), DANSKIN (R), ROCAWEAR (R), CANNON (R), ROYAL VELVET (R), FIELDCREST (R), CHARISMA (R), STARTER (R), WAVERLY (R), ZOO YORK (R), SHARPER IMAGE (R), UMBRO (R), LEE COOPER (R), ECKO UNLTD. (R), MARC ECKO (R), ARTFUL DODGER and STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE (R). In addition, Iconix owns interests in the MATERIAL GIRL (R), PEANUTS (R), ED HARDY (R), TRUTH OR DARE (R), MODERN AMUSEMENT (R), BUFFALO (R), NICK GRAHAM (R) and PONY (R) brands. The Company licenses its brands to a network of leading retailers and manufacturers that touch every major segment of retail distribution from the luxury market to the mass market in both the U.S. and worldwide. Through its in-house business development, merchandising, advertising and public relations departments, Iconix manages its brands to drive greater consumer awareness and equity.
About The MAiZE, Inc.
The MAiZE, Inc. annually creates mazes for 280+ farms worldwide and represents an increasingly popular trend in outdoor fall entertainment for children and adults alike. Brett Herbst, found of the MAiZE company, has worked with his team to design more than 3,000 corn mazes since first introducing the concept to Utah in 1996. Providing design and consulting services to those interested in creating their own labyrinths, The MAiZE has become the world’s largest cornfield maze company. For additional information, visit www.themaize.com.
Media Contacts
For Peanuts:
Alison Hill, alison@currentpr.com
714.287.2015
For the Kraay Family Farm, Home of the Lacombe Corn Maze, Inc.:
Rachel Kraay, Owner, Marketing Manager, rachel@kraayfamilyfarm.com
403-302-1709