CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Liberty Mills Farm’s popular corn maze and pumpkin patch are closed, starting Wednesday, after its owners said an aggressive confrontation with customers over the weekend left them questioning their desire to continue with the business they launched 16 years ago.

Owners Kent and Evie Woods notified customers in an email and also shared the news on their website and in a social media post, saying they would consider over the winter whether or not to reopen the Somerset farm in 2026.

“Staff, along with myself, were threatened with physical violence and a phone was repeatedly shoved in my face,” the Woods wrote in their email and post. “We were sworn at and accused of being racist. … The anger directed towards our family and staff, the loss of sleep and continuous stress are not worth continuing operations. We will no longer accept the venom that is directed at us personally.”

Kent, 70, and Evie, 63, are originally from Wisconsin, where he worked in engineering and she was involved in the performing arts.

In 2009, the couple opened their first corn maze and it has grown into one of the largest and most celebrated in the nation. This year, it was recognized by USA Today, Pioneer Woman and Popular Outdoorsman.

The Woods said anyone who bought advanced tickets will receive a refund. The farm market will be open Saturday and remaining inventory will be sold off at a discount.

Liberty Mills Farm did not immediately respond to a request for comment.