MINNESOTA’S HOME FOR FAMILY FUN SINCE 1997.
Established in 1997 when we cut our very first corn maze, Sever’s Festivals is now a full portfolio of family-friendly events put on year-round on our 100-acre grounds in Shakopee, Minnesota. From our flagship Fall Festival to seasonal light shows and more, Sever’s Festivals is where families come to make memories and establish traditions for years to come.
ABOUT THE FALL FESTIVAL
It all started with our corn maze: the second ever cut in the United States and the first—and still largest—in Minnesota. Back in 1997, many thought we were crazy to create one, but what began with a few stalks of corn has grown into an annual tradition for thousands of families around the region.
Fun fact: The first year of the corn maze saw about 5,000 attendees, with the only other “attraction” being a table where we sold cookies. Today, Sever’s Fall Festival draws about 20x as many people and hosts an ever-expanding list of attractions including corn pits, jumping pillows, petting zoos, playgrounds, live shows, zip lines, pumpkin patches, local artisans, food vendors, beer, wine and more.
Each season, we cut our corn maze by hand (without using GPS) to ensure a clear and accurate design. We also work year-round to add new activities and entertainment to the Fall Festival lineup, always with the goal of bringing more families and friends in to enjoy this beloved fall tradition. We sincerely appreciate your support and patronage of Sever’s Fall Festival. We hope you’ll come see us soon!
ABOUT OUR FARM
Peterson Farms was first settled by Sever Peterson I in 1890. That very same homestead is where Sever III and his wife, Sharon, still live and where the 4th generation of Petersons comes to work daily.
The farm is a traditional grain operation where we also grow pumpkins, sweet corn, apples, squash and gourds, as well as keep bees. Sever Peterson III created the yellow and green gazebos you still see around town as a way to market his fresh produce directly to consumers; however, the family sold this business in 2015 to focus on the Fall Festival.
Sever & Sharon Peterson first had the idea of a corn maze in 1997 after hearing about the hedge mazes of Europe from one of their agricultural exchange students from England. They decided to create one of their own, which ultimately grew into the Fall Festival we put on today.