A Dolly Parton-inspired corn maze in Grand Rapids that was planned before her death

has been given new meaning as a memorial to the late American icon ahead of its opening today. 

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Michiganders will have a chance to celebrate her legacy while getting a little lost along the way. In America, a corn field can become a memorial fit for a queen. Here, 6½ acres cut into a maze form the contours of Dolly Parton’s face.People from all over are expected to flock to the maze and find their way through the Queen of Country’s big hair, musical notes, acoustic guitar, and her signature symbol, a fluttering butterfly. 

The maze will give thousands of families a place to go to spend time together this fall through the first week of November, but also to mourn and feel a little closer to Parton, a luminary who left a legacy of music, homespun sense, and good deeds.

“Dolly Parton’s story and what she stood for really resonates with a lot of America,” Allan Robinette, 34, told the Free Press. His family owns the farm, where the maze is and is awestruck by the interest. “It doesn’t matter who you are, you feel what she’s done is downright inspirational.”

When Parton died last week, Americans couldn’t help but take a moment to think about all the ways she had been part of their lives for decades even if they had never met her or been a fan, as a part of their lives through her music and cultural influence.

Ford CEO Jim Farley, saw the news of her death flash across his phone while in a meeting with other auto company executives, the Free Press reported. The group took a moment to paused the conversation to reminisce about Parton.

An annual fall attraction at Robinette’s Apple Haus and Winery, the maze features a different design each year.The more than a century-old farm sells apples, peaches, cider, treats, and wine.This year, the maze was intended to be an homage to Parton. But, since the 80-year-old’s death, it has turned into something more.

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‘the song is ended but the melody lingers on.’ 

-irving berlin

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source credits detroit free press, the gander, usa today network