The Mormon Murray legend has made it big ... literally.

He's twelve-acres worth of big, to be exact.

David Archuleta, American Idol runner-up, has become the face and shape of an original Utah corn maze at Thanksgiving Point.

"You know you've arrived when they make a corn maze out of your face," said Brett Hales, Archuleta's family friend and spokesperson during the American Idol competition.

Archuleta was a little uneasy about his personally-themed maze, however.

"There was excitement and embarrassment from him. A little part of that seventeen-year-old boy came out," Hales said. "That's abnormal for David because he's usually so brief and humble."

Kamille Combs, marketing director for Corn Belly's Corn Maze, said Archuleta was chosen to be the icon for the Cornbelly Maze because of his ties to Utah and his accomplishments this past year.

"Our first and foremost driving criterion for the face of the maze is what's significant to Utah," Combs said. "After American Idol, we knew David would be great, but we still wanted to tap into the election frenzy, so we made the maze say 'Archuleta-4-President'."

Archuleta's family is planning a visit to the maze, though it is doubtful that David will make it. The teenage heartthrob is booked in Los Angeles and is finishing-up his album, due for release Nov. 11.

The Archuleta maze has two phases and one three-minute kiddie phase. Visitors can stop at the end of the first phase or proceed onward to complete both phases. Completion of the maze takes a little over an hour.

The maze opened Friday and will remain open until Nov. 1. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The maze is closed on Sundays. Visit www.cornbellys.com for ticket prices and directions.



Copyright Brigham Young University 29 Sep 2008