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Schilter, 40, said Friday that she remembers seeing Keller in the halls of North Thurston High School, where he was one year ahead of her. She said she’s always followed his soccer career because of the hometown connection.
“It’s just been so impressive how well he’s done and how long he’s played,” she said.
Stephanie Schilter said Keller has yet to visit the maze, but his father has, and he appreciated the gesture.
In a news release from Sounders FC, Keller said he feels honored.
“It’s certainly a unique tribute and very fitting given this is my hometown and my family has known the Schilter family for years and years,” Keller said in the release. “I honestly don’t think too many other athletes can say they’ve had their likeness featured in a corn maze, and that is what makes it really cool to me. I hope a lot of fans can make their way to Olympia and enjoy it.”
The husband-and-wife team of Jeff and Stephanie Schilter has been offering family fun and entertainment at the 180-acre farm’s annual fall festival since 1997. Every year, “we try to add something new,” Stephanie Schilter said.
This year’s attractions include a petting zoo with goats, ponies, chickens, pigs, ducks and sheep. For the first time, the festival includes an air cannon that shoots ears of corn and pumpkins at targets. There are also pedal tractors, a hay maze, cotton candy, caramel apples and the maze.
On Friday afternoon, as traffic whizzed by on the nearby interstate, visitors were already driving up to see when the festival started.
“We love it here,” said Autumn Ridnell, who pulled up to the festival’s parking lot Friday with her 11-year-old daughter, Gabrielle Michelson. “We’ve been coming here probably since you were two,” she said to Gabrielle. “This place is just magical.”
Said Michelson, “I like the animals, all of them. Also playing in the hay maze.”
The festival is truly a family affair. Stephanie Schilter’s mom and cousin were busy Friday making last-minute preparations. Jeff Schilter’s nephew Nicholas was busy hammering wooden planks on a “goat walk,” to show off the goats’ climbing skills.
“We actually started at the beginning of September setting up for October,” Jeff Schilter said.
Jeff Schilter, 45, said the family has operated its farm at Nisqually Cutoff Road since 1940. It was formerly a dairy farm. One of the past corn mazes on the farm honored Jeff’s father, Fred Schilter, who passed away last January, he said.
Stephanie Schilter said the payoff for all the hard work starts as soon as she sees children smiling and laughing as they enjoy the attractions.
“It is so much hard work,” Stephanie Schilter said. “September is absolutely a crazy month. I’m sure we’ll be up all night trying to get ready.”
Jeremy Pawloski: 360-754-5465
jpawloski@theolympian.com
