VIDALIA &8212; Temperatures began to cool as clouds and people rolled in Saturday evening to experience the grand opening of the Miss-Lou Maze Craze.

&8220;We did this to promote agriculture to the younger generation as something fun to do and to show people the food they eat is grown and not just manufactured,&8221; owner Noble Guedon said.

The maze is in the shape of a hot-air balloon, separated in three sections varying in difficulty, with several different trails within it.

The top section of the maze has haunted trails where visitors can get a good scare, Guedon said.

Stacy Edwards, of Jonesville, brought her 5-year-old son, Jacob and cousin Callie Shermer, 8, to experience the maze.

&8220;I think it is wonderful that there is something closer to home you can bring your kids to,&8221; Edwards said.

Jacob said he liked the first two parts of the maze, but the third was too scary.

For parents with toddlers, there is also a Munchkin Maze of soybeans, corn and soybean boxes to play in, and kids can pick their own pumpkin for Halloween in the pumpkin patch, Geudon said.

Organizer Sharyn Greer said the maze also promotes agriculture in the classroom.

&8220;I feel like my job has been to inform schools how we could compliment what children do in the classroom and what they can do in the field.&8221;

To promote the maze she sent several school packets of information about

the event and samples of corn and soybeans so children could grow their own plants, Greer said.

The maze also provides volunteer opportunities for local charities, Greer said.

Every night the maze is open two volunteers from the Vidalia Women&8217;s Club will work to raise money for their American Flag fund, Greer said.

On Oct. 3, owners Noble Guedon and Cecil Parker are partnering with Concordia Bank & Trust to raise money for March of Dimes, Greer said.

&8220;On Oct. 10 we&8217;re also partnering with Tensas Bank in Vidalia to raise money for Relay for Life,&8221; Greer said.

The maze also provides local high school students with part-time jobs.

Jordan Brewer of Vidalia High School works as a guide to help people through the maze if they should get lost.

&8220;I&8217;ve really enjoyed working for Noble and Cecil,&8221; Brewer said. &8220;It&8217;s a good idea to have something like this to do on weekends instead of having to drive all the way to Baton Rouge or Alexandria to have fun.&8221;

The maze will be open Thursday through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m.

The maze can also be opened by appointment to any groups wishing to visit.

For more information, call (318) 336-5935, or visit the Web site at www.missloumazecraze.com.