A corn maze near Lacombe is being recognized internationally - it has been named the world’s largest functioning QR code by Guinness World Records.
The Kraay family has been coming up with original designs for its annual Lacombe Corn Maze for more than a decade.
The family says this year’s design – a giant, functioning QR (Quick Response) code – has just been certified from the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest.
“It was something that we didn’t think would happen. There were a lot of little things we had to do and Guinness is pretty picky with how you collect your evidence. We were a little bit on edge on whether it would come through so we were very relieved and very excited,” said Rachel Kraay with Kraay Family Farms.
The Kraay’s code is nearly 29,000 square metres.
When the code is scanned with a smartphone, it sends the user to the website for the Kraay Family Farm.
To prove the code works, the family flew over their farm in a helicopter and held a phone out the window to scan the code – and videotaped the whole thing. They also had to compile photos and get witness statements to send as evidence to Guinness.
Kraay said the family is happy all of their efforts have been rewarded with the certification – which came in the mail at the end of last week.
“They didn’t even call. I just went to the door and there was a large package and inside was the certificate and a letter. I guess that’s how they do it,” Kraay said with a laugh.
This is the 13th year for the corn maze.
In the past, the maze had featured country music star Paul Brandt, logos of the Edmonton Oilers and Eskimos, the Calgary Stampeders and Flames, outlines of Canada and Alberta, and last year they marked the 25th Anniversary of Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion tour with a likeness of Hansen.
The idea for this year’s QR code maze came when Kraay was reading a magazine.
“I was just relaxing, reading a magazine and saw a whole bunch of QR codes and I thought, you know, it looked a whole lot like a maze I wonder if we can make one,” Kraay told CTV News earlier this summer.
The Kraay family took the idea to a designer they work with each year – who jumped at the challenge.
And while most wouldn't be able to actually scan the code from the skies, Kraay says she's tried scanning an image of the code with her phone and it still works - so suggests those interested try that to get in on the fun.
A party is being planned for Sept. 15 to celebrate the win.
Kraay says the certificate from Guinness will be framed and put on display.
She says she hopes the certification will bring more attention to Lacombe.
“It’s for us but it’s also for our community,” Kraay said.
“We’re excited that people will maybe know where Lacombe is now. We’re excited it will bring more traffic to our farm and to the area.”
