FARMINGTON — For weeks, Bussie York and his crew at Sandy River Farms have been putting the final touches on nearly 4 miles of twisting, turning and dead-end paths through 12-foot corn stalks growing on 13 acres.

They have been setting up this year’s corn “maize” in Farmington, a maze of trails laid out in a complex design that spells the words, “Supporting Maine Farmers” and “Sandy River Farms.”

All paths lead to the center and a huge replica of the Hannaford Co. logo of fruits and vegetables. The Maine-based grocery store is a major sponsor of this year’s maize.

The Corn Maize Challenge, Farmington’s own agri-tourism event for the fall, is at 755 Farmington Falls Road, 3 miles east of downtown Farmington. It will be open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 18 to Oct. 31; Columbus Day, Oct. 11; and Oct. 29 and 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. for a Halloween Haunted Maize put on by the Farmington Fire Department.

Last year, the maze, which has been built on a portion of a 100-acre cornfield, was 10 acres and attracted more than 6,000 people. York calculated attendance would have doubled if rain hadn’t forced them to cancel the maze over several weekends.

He said any agriculture-related event that can draw that many people to a farm is a big deal.

“This is a fun, educational event for people who don’t usually get a chance to visit a farm close-up. It is a great opportunity to get outside, get some exercise and experience agriculture,” York said.

“Last year, people said what a great time they had and we’ve been getting calls asking if we were doing it again and when we will open,” York said.

Adding Hannaford as a sponsor has been a big boost to the venture, and the company is promoting the event in all 75 of its stores, said Tap Fitzgerald, Hannaford’s community relations specialist.

“We are pretty excited about this and we are honored to have our logo out there alongside the words, ‘supporting local farmers,’ which is something we are passionate about,” Fitzgerald said.

He said Hannaford has a strong program in its stores that encourages managers to partner with local farmers to supply fresh, seasonal produce.

The company is selective about which events it sponsors and looks at the impact it will have in the community and whether the message is in line with what Hannaford stands for, he said.

For years, York, who has an organic dairy farm and grows a variety of produce, has sold his vegetables at the Farmington Hannaford. He suggested a possible sponsorship to the store’s manager, Todd Bullen, who passed the idea on to the marketing department, Fitzgerald said.

Other sponsors are Shiretown Insurance, CMD Powersystems Inc., and State Farm Insurance in Farmington.

York estimated it would take about an hour to cover the entire maze. A mini-maze takes about a half-hour. There will be exits to leave the trail along the way.

The day-at-the-farm event will include a pick-your-own-pumpkin patch; a petting area with baby farm animals; a ladies’ skillet-toss contest; hayrides; a “corn box” with prizes buried in a pile of shelled corn; and an eight-car “cow-train” that will travel through the corn. A food concession and tables will be under a large tent.

Also new this year is the option of group rates and tours on Fridays. York said several teachers have already inquired about incorporating a field trip with a lesson in agriculture.

York contracted with MAiZE Inc. in Utah, the world’s largest cornfield maze consulting/design company, according to the company’s website.

For information, go to www.sandyriverfarms.com or call 778-3835. Admission is $8 for adults and children older than 10; $4 for children under 10; free for children under 3. The cow train ride costs $2.

The Corn Maize Challenge and related farm activities will be at Sandy River Farms, 755 Farmington Falls Road, 3 miles east of downtown Farmington. Open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 18 to Oct. 31; Columbus Day, Oct. 11; and on Oct. 29 and 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. for a Halloween Haunted Maize put on by the Farmington Fire Department. For information online: www.sandyriverfarms.com or call 778-3835.

Admission is $8 for adults and children older than 10; $4 for children under 10; free for children under 3.