Jonamac Orchard, located at 19412 Shabbona road in Malta, offers autumnal opportunities for families and students alike. The apple orchard, pumpkin patch and corn maze are a seasonal staple in DeKalb County.

“The orchard’s been here since 1984, and it’s grown a lot,” said Jonamac Orchard owner Denice McArtor.

The first corn maze was made in 2000 and features a different design every year. The maze is open to the public Friday through Sunday most weekends in October. Beginning in October after dark, the haunted corn maze becomes a big draw, McArtor said.

The orchard also features pick-your-own apples through September while they last. There are 30 different varieties of apples available throughout the season.

“What you get this week might not be the same next week,” McArtor said.

The pumpkin patch, which also allows you to pick your own, opens the last weekend in September.

The country store on the property sells decorative items, gifts, candles, caramel apples, apple cider donuts, apple cider slushies, pumpkins, apples and squash. This past weekend was the first in which cider was available, McArtor said.

The planning for each year’s maze design starts in March with a pitch meeting, McArtor said. This year’s design commemorates the new DeKalb High School with the school’s logo. Patrons wishing to donate money to DHS athletics, academics and music organizations need only mention so when entering the corn maze and a percentage of the proceeds will be sent to the school to be evenly split between the three groups, McArtor said.

“It’s great to get behind a club or organization,” McArtor said.

The name of the orchard comes from a specific type of apple, the Jonamac, which is a cross between Jonathon and Macintosh apples, McArtor said. In addition, the name is a combination of the last name of the original owners- Johnson- and the name of current owners- McArtor.

First time visitors, Pete Cacciatore of Byron and Stephanie Nissen, NIU junior secondary education major, said they would come back on a weekend to explore the corn maze.

“It’s a nice alternative to bring your girlfriend to besides a bar,” Cacciatore said.