It’s not always easy to find out about what’s going on for Laura Ingalls Wilder events around the country. I finally decided that current information is probably best posted on a month-by-month basis so for current information search this site for the name of the month you are looking for and the word “event” (for example March 2024 Laura Ingalls Wilder Events).
Let me know if I’m missing any. Most of these events are annual but check with the group hosting the event for exact dates for following years. There are a few events that no longer exist.
I have enough information that I want to post what I have for 2024. The events I haven’t gotten dates for yet still have 2023 dates and are italicized. I’ll update them as I get more information.
CHECK BACK! for changes throughout the year. I make changes and updates on the page (click here) and NOT on THIS POST as I find out more.
Listen to our Looking Ahead Episode
Or find it wherever you get your podcasts under Trundlebed Tales.
Pepin WI
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s 157th birthday is February 7, 2024. They’ll be celebrating in Pepin at the Little House Wayside, the cabin at her birth site, on February 3, 2024 from Noon-2:00pm. Come on by!
Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)
- May 10-12, 2024
- June 8-9, 2024
- July 13-14, 2024
- August 10-11, 2024
Visit the Little House Wayside in Pepin, WI on these special weekends to see the cabin fully furnished and re-enactors demonstrating the arts of daily living in the 1870s. This is a cooperative activity of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Committee, and the Austin Tea Party Players.
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024 (See more detail under cast reunion)
Laura Days – September 14 & 15, 2024
This is their big Laura event of the year. Traditionally they include the most participants (including adults) who dress in prairie clothes, a regional fiddle contest, and a Traditional Crafts demonstration area.
Hours
2024 Season Opens: May 1, 2024
Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily (including weekends & holidays) from May 1st thru October 26, 2024 (including Memorial Day, July 4, & Labor Day).
Last Day of Season: October 26, 2024
Independence KS
This year Prairie Days has been changed into a cast reunion event. There is more information under the reunion events section.
50th Anniversary Event – Independence, KS – Prairie Days-A LHOTP Cast 50th Celebration on May 31 – June 2, 2024
Carrie Ingalls Swanzey’s Birthday Party – Saturday August 3, 2024
Hours
Open March 15th – November 1st, 2024 – 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm everyday.
[Opening and closing dates not confirmed.]
Walnut Grove MN
Online Laura Ingalls Wilder Birthday Special – February 4, 2024 – 3:00 pm –
The Walnut Grove pageant will have another online celebration of Laura’s birthday. This time focused on the actresses who played Nellie Oleson in the pageant over the years. The interviews will be live, recorded, or read. Due to time constraints, they are interviewing the Nellie actresses who had been in the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant for 5 years or more. They would still like to hear from any Nellie actress in the form of a short bio of what you are up to now and any thoughts on acting as Nellie Oleson in our production.
Find-a-Grave Presentation – April 18, 2024
Bonnie Caldwell will present about grave hunting. Bonnie will share how to use the Find-A-Grave site and provide tips on making it a fun experience.
Walnut Grove Pageant – This year continues a brand-new trilogy of plays in place of the Fragments of a Dream pageant. The first in the trilogy will be closest to traditional Fragments of a Dream so they did the 2nd one last year. This year it’s the third one, Dream Fulfilled.
- July 12-13, 2024
- July 19-20, 2024 (Reunion Weekend)
- July 26-27, 2024
Family Festival held in Walnut Grove City Park on pageant Saturdays, July 12, 19, and 26, 2024. The festival goes from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm Check the Walnut Grove website for full schedule and more details as it gets closer.
2024 will be the 50th Anniversary of the Little House on the Prairie TV show (NBC). Walnut Grove is the homesite that has had the most to do with the TV show and has announced they will definitely be following up their 40th and 45th reunions with one this year. They are still rolling out information. If you plan on going look for where you want to stay now because they aren’t many spaces yet.
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Event – Walnut Grove, MN – July 19-21, 2024 (Scroll up to Walnut Grove section for more information)
This is not one of the repeating productions and so will be done differently. This is Paul Valenti’s report on Facebook in January: “You DO NOT need an advance ticket to attend the reunion events being held within Walnut Grove. Autograph/Meet & Greet tickets will be available when you arrive in Walnut Grove. It is also not expected that tickets for the evening pageants will sell out, there is always more room ‘on the hill’ for that particular event. I DO expect that there will be a brunch and a dinner event held that weekend for which you WILL need an advance ticket. So all that the fans should concern themselves with right now, in regards to the Walnut Grove Reunion, is finding lodging and transportation, everything else will be announced in plenty of time for those of you who are looking to participate in the various events taking place that weekend.”
That is good advice, except I would pre-buy the pageant tickets as soon as possible to get good seats. Some people prefer to sit on a blanket on the hill though so it’s up to you. The pageant will be the play put on by the townspeople every year and a pre- pageant Q and A session with the TV show cast. You do not have to pre-buy a ticket to the Autograph/Meet & Greet sessions. They will also have a photo with the cast on Sunday. This is my playlist of videos from when I attended their event in 2014. I’ve got it cued up to video 3 which is when I made it to Walnut Grove.
Friday, July 19: Bruncheon ($70)
Saturday, July 20: Luncheon ($70)
-Your ticket includes a meal, a photo of you & others at your table with the Star, and a Gift Bag with exclusive items.
-You are only allowed to attend one of these events. You cannot attend both the bruncheon and luncheon.
-Additional information will be released by April 1st. Pre-sale date and times will be announced at that time.
Sunday, July 21 Photo Opportunity ($25)
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Community Center
You will have an opportunity to get a photograph with all of the Stars attending our reunion. The Stars will be seated and staged for you to join their photo. The photos will be taken on your personal device.
Here is their current page about the reunion event it’s got all the information you’ll need. Here is their regular pageant page, click Pageant at the top and it will give you more options for details.
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
2024 Walnut Grove Museum Hours Schedule – Republished With Permission
Burr Oak IA
Normally Burr Oak has a lot of smaller events throughout the year. This year they are planning on them again, but nothing is planned that far out. Check back later in the year for more. Under events on their website they have Laura Days dates out to 2030.
- Laura Ingalls Wilder Park & Museum Annual Meeting January 20, 2024, Burr Oak Lutheran Church 6pm, if you are interested in attending by Zoom e-mail the museum and you will be sent the link. museum@lauraingallswilder.us
- Spaghetti Supper – Decorah Lutheran church on March 9, 2024 from 4:30-7:00 pm. Live auction of donated items from local businesses and homemade pies begins at 7:00 pm. $15 for adults; $5 for children ages 5-12; 4 and under free. Carry-outs and meatless sauce available. Meet our Little Miss Lauras and learn about our latest projects!
- Laura’s Sack Lunch Drive-Thru Meal – May 5, 2024
A fundraising drive through featuring the Winnesheik County Cattlemen. It also includes an open house at the new school building with live music, presentations by their Little Miss Lauras, and refreshments. - Laura Ingalls Wilder Days June 21-23, 2024
Sarah Uthoff of Trundlebed Tales will be the speaker! - Coloring Contest –
Enter the Masters Hotel Coloring Contest! The 2024 information should be published May 1, 2024. The contest is open for all 8, 9, and 10 year olds. Download the picture and send to the museum. They will release the date to mail by and update the details later. Be sure to include your name and address on the other side of the picture. The winner will be announced at the Annual Laura Day Celebration. Need not to be present to win. All entries become the property of the museum. The winning picture will be displayed in the Laura Museum Visitor Center for the remainder of the season. The winner will receive the Laura Ingalls Wilder Coloring Book illustrated by Cheryl Harness. Click the link below to print the picture and entry form. Coloring Contest Rules
Hours – Unconfirmed for 2024
- Opens May 1, 2024
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm
Sunday: Noon – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm - Memorial Day – Labor Day
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Last tour 4:00 pm
Sunday: Noon – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm - Post Labor Day – Mid October:
Thursday-Saturday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, Last tour 3:00 pm
Closed Sunday-Wednesday - Last day of the 2024 season TBD
De Smet SD
De Smet Memorial Society
Beyond The Prairie: A Journey Through the Lives of Laura Ingalls Wilder & Rose Wilder Lane will be the special exhibit for 2024.
Immerse yourself in the Wilder Legacy. Encounter the real Laura and Rose through their lives, writings, and relationship through a special display. May thru September 2024
De Smet Pageant
- Prairie Girl: Laura’s Dakota Stories – An original production and is described as featuring Laura and early De Smet history.
- July 5, 6, 7, 2024
- July 12, 13, 14. 2024
- July 19, 20, 21, 2024
- Gates Open 6 pm, Performance at 8 pm
Old Settlers Day will be Saturday, June 8, 2024.
The Ingalls Homestead is hosting a Plein Air Event (painting in the open air) in conjunction with the Harvey Dunn Society. Find more details about a previous event. – August 8-11, 2024 with the wet sale on Sunday the 11th.
We don’t have dates for 2024 for their Christmas events, but I assume they will happen again this year.
- “Christmas at the Ingalls Home” – No dates confirmed yet
Join us for early holiday shopping plus a chance to tour the Ingalls House on 3rd Street free of charge. Stop at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society for your free ticket. -
“Radio Pageant”- No dates confirmed
You can attend in person at the De Smet Wellness Center. Previously it was broadcast live on Facebook, also, but no confirmation of that yet.
Memorial Society
- May & September: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
School fieldtrips typically visit in the mornings.
Please call ahead to confirm tours. - June-August: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
Sunday 11:00 AM-5:30 PM - October-April: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Call ahead for tour times - Holiday Hours:
We will be closed December 26, 2024 and January 2, 2025 so that our employees can spend the Holidays with their families.
Ingalls Homestead
2024 Hours
- SPRING: May 1 – 23, 2024
Monday – Friday – Hours vary daily as we host school field trips. Please contact us for availability.
Saturday & Sunday – We are closed on weekends prior to Memorial Day.
We do not keep regular hours during our spring season, but we do welcome visitors. Our activities are limited in the spring and can vary depending on when you visit. During our spring season, we do not offer the pony and pony cart rides. We are generally closed the Friday prior to Memorial Day weekend, to give us a day of transition between school field trips and our summer season. - SUMMER: May 25 – September 2, 2024
Open 9am-7pm, Activities from 10am – 6pm. The first covered wagon ride leaves at 10am and the final covered wagon ride leaves at 6pm, with rides and activities throughout the day. We are open every day including Sundays, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. - AUTUMN: September 3 – September 30, 2024
Open 9AM – 5PM; Activities offered from 11am – 2pm, Saturday Activities offered from 11am-4pm
We have the covered wagon ride, pony and pony cart rides, and hands-on activities each day. We will not be offering the one-room schoolhouse session except on Saturdays.
October 1 – October 31, 2024
Daily 9AM – 5PM, weather permitting.
No activities offered, but the grounds, visitors center, and gift shop are open. - WINTER:
The grounds are closed for the winter, but we are still in the office. If you would like to make a camping reservation, request information, or place a phone order, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Spring Valley MN
- Spring Cleaning May 4, 2024
- Ice Cream Social June 21, 2024 at 5pm
- Eliza Jane One Room School Days End of July (TBD)
- Ag Days (formerly Wilder Fest) August 16-18, 2024
- Winter Fundraiser Fall/Winter (TBD)
Hours
Open between Memorial Day Weekend thru the end of August. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. During September and October open Saturday and Sunday only, 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. Additional hours and events may be added later.
Mansfield MO
Note: Mansfield has been scheduling small events without a lot of notice. If this trend continues I will add them to list as soon as I find out about them.
For the 2024 the Special Season Exhibit- “Remembering Almanzo Wilder.” They have worked on filling in the spot where the previous museum was. They’ve kept Almanzo’s workshop and built a restoration of their garage. It will be the focal point of this year’s special exhibit.
- Independence Day
The Fourth of July is always celebrated in Mansfield, Missouri. Parades have been a tradition here since the days of Horses pulling Decorated Wagons and Buggies. Today we all celebrate Independence Day in Mansfield with a Parade, Festival and Fireworks. - Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp – July 22-26, 2024
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Home Association “Rocky Ridge Adventure Pioneer Camp” for the 2023 season! The camp will be for children ages (9-12). Camp will cost $TBA per child and will include a week of exciting adventures around Rocky Ridge Farm. Campers will enjoy many learning activities, bringing a hands-on perspective to the pioneer lifestyle. Email: liw.pioneercamp@gmail.com Camp will take place, rain or shine!! Your child will not want to miss this special week of historic fun and memories!!!! Register today and reserve your spot! What is included from last year’s post – Registration cost includes 5 days of camp, tin cup, badge, book, shirt and a hat (bonnet for girls and coon skin cap for boys). For more information, call 417-924-3626. - “Laura’s Memories” – An Outdoor Pageant
Sadly the Ozarks Mountain Players have closed down. The rights to the script and songs have reverted to their authors. There is some hope in town another group in town will restart ”Laura’s Memories” the pageant in Mansfield City Park. Sadly this is the second Laura pageant group, after the one in Pepin, Wisconsin which closed some years ago, to close. It’s the first long running pageant to do so. It had great music and the most comfortable pageant theater of the current shows. - 49th Wilder Days – September 27-28, 2024
Annual celebration commemorating Laura Ingalls Wilder, America’s favorite pioneer girl, and her cherished Little House books. Sadly they didn’t get funding for the fiddle contest on Wilder Day. It will be a great day to enjoy hearing fiddle music Pa’s Fiddle played.
Please come out and enjoy the festivities. Visit our Facebook page for more info. - Wilder Dinner – September 27, 2024
The 5th Annual, “Wilder Dinner.” The date has not been announced, but is normally on the Friday of Wilder Days. The special guest this year will be Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder on the NBC series). - The Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival – November 7-8, 2024
The 6th Annual, Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival. For more information please visit www.liwclf.com
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Jean C. Coday Day at Rocky Ridge Farm – Nov. 2, 2024As former director (1993-2018) and board member (1960-2018) of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum we honor her memory and years of service with a discounted ticket price of $10 for all active and retired teachers and librarians. Mrs. Coday had a passion for children, devoting 31 years as a teacher/administrator with the Mansfield school system. The Jean C. Coday Elementary School Library was named in her honor in 2000. The board of directors have decided to make this an annual event on the Saturday closest to her birthday.
- Christmas at Laura’s – Saturday, December 14, 2024 – 5pm-7pm
Opening and decorating the Rocky Ridge farmhouse for Christmas is a tradition here on Rocky Ridge Farm. Holiday shopping in the giftshop. Come celebrate Christmas with us in a most special way!
It’s Mansfield’s Christmas in the Ozarks that day with Activities starting at 2pm, a Christmas Tea from 2:30-3:30pm, and the parade at 4pm. Most stores around the square will be having an activity.
Hours
- March 1st – November 15th, 2024 (Closed Easter Sunday, March 31)
- Monday-Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Adult Ticket – $18.00 Children 6 to 17 – $8.00 Children 5 & Under – Free
Malone/Burke NY
- Find more on events.
-
Annual Meeting and Dinner! Jan. 26,2024 at the As We Like It Cafe in Malone NY. Special presentation by Melanie Stringer, historian and Wilder scholar. Details at almanzowilderfarm.com/blog
- Eclipse Days – Sunday, April 7, 2024 12pm – 3pm, Monday, April 8, 2024 11am – 3pm
Museum and Gift Shop open and the grounds are open for eclipse viewing - Fiber Arts – Every Wednesday starting April 17, 2024 3pm-5pm
- Opening for the Season May 25, 2024
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Fun on the Farm! – Saturday, June 22, 2024 10am – 4 pm
A fun day for kids with traditional games to play. Winners will be announced for the art show and essay contest. Honorary Almanzo and Laura will be chosen! Check back for more details. - The following annual event dates haven’t been released for 2024
- Celebration of Youth and Morgan Horse – July 16, 2022
Children’s art on display, along with students’ essays. Award ceremony and the announcement of Honorary Laura and Almanzo
Kids art activities, 19th century games, vendors, food
Entertainment & more!
Dean Butler who played Almanzo Wilder on the TV show will guest. - Annual Cultural Festival – Scottish Fling – July 15, 2023
Our annual cultural events will resume this summer with our 2nd Scottish Fling! Come enjoy the enchanting sounds of bagpipes, watch traditional Scottish dancers, and try some Scottish fare, as we celebrate the influence of the Scots in rural northern NY when the Wilder family lived here. Vendors invited.
- Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder Anniversary Celebration – August 25, 2024
Lemonade and Cupcakes, free admission for people with the same anniversary (must show proof) - Annual Harvest Festival & Civil War Living History Encampment – September 23 & 24, 2023
Civil War living history encampment
Pumpkin painting and children’s 19th century game in the orchard, children’s corn pit in the barn,
Adult juried art show on display
Entertainment, demonstrators, craft & produce - Christmas with Almanzo – December 2, 2023 – 11am -3pm
Join us at Christmas with Almanzo! Kids’ holiday crafts, carol singing, Farmer Boy Christmas chapter readings, and gift shop open! FREE admission.
ALL EVENTS AND TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Their regular season runs from May 25 through September 30, 2023. If planning a visit when they are closed you can reach out and ask about a special tour. Higher rates apply for small special groups, regular rates for groups over 3 people if they can arrange the staff.
Vinton IA
Tours are not currently available. We are in doubt of future events due to uncertainty of the future of the building.
Keystone SD – Longtime Home of Carrie Ingalls Swanzey
50th Anniversary Event – Carrie Days: A Celebration of the Life of Carrie Ingalls – Keystone, SD – July 26-28, 2024 (Scroll down to the reunion section to see more)
Hours
The museum will be opening in May 2024 with the following hours:
- Monday-Friday: 10 am – 4 pm
- Saturday: 10 am – 2 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum – West Branch IA
They do a special Laura program every year in September with a speaker. Sadly they missed doing one in 2023. No word on date, time, or format for this year’s.
Pomona Public Library – Pomona CA
No Laura’s birthday Gingerbread Sociable will be held again this year. It may return next year.
Old World Wisconsin – Eagle WI
Old World Wisconsin is returning to Laura Ingalls Wilder events in a different way. They are offering camps. Search their events page for Laura Ingalls Wilder to pull up more information or book tickets. This year they have increased the number of times they are offering both camps.
Little House Adventure Summer Camp – One day adventure camps for kids held 5 different times. Registration is a separate fee. Kids ages 8-10.
- Thursday, June 27, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, July 18, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, July 25, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, August 1, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, August 8, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Little House Family Adventure Summer Camp – One day camp for kids and adults to go together. It doesn’t say so, but I think they expect you to bring a kid if you’re an adult.
- Sunday, July 21, 2024, 10 m. – 3 pm
- Sunday, August 4, 2024, 10 am – 3 pm
Nelson Pioneer Farm – Oskaloosa, Iowa
They got a new director and haven’t set dates for this year’s events yet.
- Laura Days – July 11 – July 28, 2023
Three different series of craft activities will be offered every Tuesday-Friday throughout July. This is not a day camp. The goal of this program is for the adults and children to do the activities together. Adults must remain with their children. Most activities are designed for children ages 6-10. Any special notation regarding ages or skill levels are listed with the activities. Or a modification will be available. Younger siblings are welcome to join in to the best of their ability! Each day we’ll feature a building or exhibit before heading to the craft barn to make the craft.
Colt on Ingalls Homestead
The Newberry
This information is from 2023, but Sardella-Ayres is planning on holding an online version of the class this fall. It has not been formally adopted yet and there is no dates or times.
Online Class, Tuition Required, Number of students capped
This class explores Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series in-depth, from multiple angles, including their settings, authorship and publication, adaptations, translations, and continued legacy. How does the series present American history and American girlhood? What do the books reveal about society, ideology, and America in their historical time? Taught by a dedicated Wilder scholar, this class will examine chronologically Wilder’s eight-book series, as well as the works of Wilder’s daughter, the author and political theorist Rose Wilder Lane. The instructor is Dawn Sardella-Ayres received her PhD from the University of Cambridge in 2016, and is the current L.M. Montgomery Institute Research Associate for 2022-2023. She specializes in girls’ literature and the girls’ Bildungsroman, and has published on Alcott, Montgomery, Johnston, and Wilder.
Information Page
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival – Marshfield, Missouri
Little House events Find more on their website
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
- and other memorable cast members from the classic television show.
Reunion of the TV show cast– April 25-27, 2024
Find more info on their website and on their Facebook page
Cast Reunions at Non-Homesite Towns of More than 3 Cast Members
50th Anniversary of TV Show and Cast Reunion– Simi Valley, CA – March 22-24, 2024
Learn more on their website it’s all listed there.
Summary by Nora Harmon: They will have a professional photographer that will take your photo with any of the stars. You sign up for a time and you and 3 others can get a printed 8×10 photo. Plus a free download. Each individual star is $65 each and then there are group photos too.
- List updated March 7, 2024, Find a lot more information on their website
- Karen Grassle (Ma Ingalls)
- Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls Wilder)
- Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson)
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Ketty Lester (Hester-Sue Terhune)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Brenda Turnbaugh (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Baby Rose Wilder)
- Michelle Steffin (Toddler Baby Rose Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Green Bush Twins, Rachel Lindsay & Sidney Robyn (Carrie Ingalls)
- Bonnie Bartlett (Grace Snider Edwards)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Linwood Boomer (Adam Kendall)
- Michael Landon, Jr. (Jim, also Michael Landon’s son)
- Leslie Landon (Etta Plum – last teacher on the show and Michael Landon’s daughter)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Stan Ivar (John Carver aka the man who got the original Little House from the show)
- Brian Part (Carl Sanderson Edwards – Mr. Edwards adopted son)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb – from the rapist clown episode)
The Prairie Days, a 50th LHOTP Cast Anniversary Celebration at Patti’s 1880s Settlement in Grand Rivers, KY will be held April 5 – 7, 2024
Little House on the Prairie Cast Member Meet and Greet ~
Fri., April 5 – Noon-4pm, Sat., April 6th 10am-4pm, Sun., April 7th 1pm-4pm
Located in the Settlement on Ashley’s Back Porch Cost: $12 over 12, $6 under 12
Little House Murder Mystery Dinner Theater ~
Fri., April 5th 6:30pm Cost: $175, Limited to 90 Guests
VIP Breakfast ~ Sun., April 7, 8:30am Cost: $100, Limited to 90 Guests
Stage Coach tickets available on April 6-7. Tickets need to be pre-purchased.
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Dan McBride (Henry Riley – Customer at Nellie’s restaurant)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb – the rapist clown episode)
Ticket info https://www.eventbrite.com/e/737631785527?aff=oddtdtcreator
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival – April 25-27, 2024 (Scroll up to Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival section)
50th Anniversary Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- & you’ll never know who else will show up!
50th Anniversary Event – Independence, KS – Prairie Days – A Little House on the Prairie Cast 50th Celebration on May 31-June 2, 2024
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- Tracy & Victor French (children of Victor French-Mr Edwards)
- Green Bush Twins, Rachel Lindsay & Sidney Robyn (Carrie Ingalls)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/738638596927?aff=oddtdtcreator- Melissa Sue Anderson (Mary Ingalls)
- Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls)
- Alison Arngrim (Nasty Nellie)
- Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
- Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
- Leslie Landon Matthews (Miss Eva Plum aka Michael Landon’s daughter)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
50th Anniversary Event – Walnut Grove, MN – July 19-21, 2024 (Scroll up to Walnut Grove section for more information)
This is not one of the repeating productions and so will be done differently. This is Paul Valenti’s report on Facebook in January: “You DO NOT need an advance ticket to attend the reunion events being held within Walnut Grove. Autograph/Meet & Greet tickets will be available when you arrive in Walnut Grove. It is also not expected that tickets for the evening pageants will sell out, there is always more room “on the hill” for that particular event. I DO expect that there will be at least a brunch and a dinner event held that weekend for which you WILL need an advance ticket. So all that the fans should concern themselves with right now, in regards to the Walnut Grove Reunion, is finding lodging and transportation, everything else will be announced in plenty of time for those of you who are looking to participate in the various events taking place that weekend.”
That is good advice, except I would pre-buy the pageant tickets as soon as possible to get good seats. Some people prefer to sit on a blanket on the hill though so it’s up to you. The pageant will be the play put on by the townspeople every year and a pre- pageant Q and A session with the TV show cast. You do not have to pre-buy a ticket to the Autograph/Meet & Greet sessions. I expect that they will also have a photo with the cast on Sunday, but that’s based on their previous events, not anything I know from this year. This is my playlist of videos from when I attended their event in 2014. I’ve got it cued up to video 3 which is when I made it to Walnut Grove.
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
50th Anniversary Event – Carrie Days: A Celebration of the Life of Carrie Ingalls – Keystone, SD – July 26-28, 2024
Have you ever wanted to “Picture Yourself on the Prairie?” You’ll get the chance to get your picture taken in front of 12 painted canvases of the Oleson Mercantile, the Little House and so much more. You’ll feel like you are on the sets in Walnut Grove! It will be held at Keystone Community Center and Library, 1101 Madill Street Keystone, SD 57751.
Friday, July 26 – Cast Meet and Greet 12pm-4pm ($12 adult, $6 child)
Saturday, July 27th – Cast Meet and Greet 10am-4pm ($12 adult, $6 child)
– 7pm Dinner, ($150)
Sunday, July 28th – Breakfast with Cast 8:30am ($100)
– Cast Meet and Greet 12pm-4pm ($12 adult, $6 child)
All Inclusive Ticket ($350)
Little House on the Prairie original cast members confirmed for the 2024 Carrie Days will include:
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- Victor & Tracy French (Children of Victor French-Mr. Edwards).
Click here for details and tickets:
Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary-SD Tickets, Fri, Jul 26, 2024 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion – Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT – August 30-31 & September 1, 2024; three big days of a LHOTP 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion. (This event was originally scheduled to take place in Torrington, CT and has been moved to a new larger location. There have been other changes in addition to the location. All tickets already purchased will be honored at the new location.)
This event will help raise funds & awareness for a local not for profit Kids Play Childrens Museum, located in downtown Torrington, CT.
Little House on the Prairie original cast members scheduled to appear will include:
- Susan McCray (casting director for LHOTP)
- Todd Bridges (Solomon Henry)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Melissa “Missy” Francis (Casandra Ingalls)
- Alison Arngrim (Nasty Nellie)
- Allison Balson (Nancy Olsen)
- Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Stan Ivar (John Carter)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Jennifer Steffin (Toddler Rose Wilder)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls)
- Gil Gerard (Chris Nelson)
- Tony Becker (Zeke)
- Brain Part (Carl Sanderson)
- Victor and Tracy French (Victor French’s Children)
- Josh Landon (son on Michael Landon)
Saturday Night – The Prairie Remembers Dinner will take place at the Connecticut Convention Center at 6:30 pm. The dinner will feature a delicious catered meal. The evening will pay tribute to amazing actors & cast members that are no longer with us. Cast members will share their stories of these amazing actors that are gone way too soon. Ticket price is $195.
Sunday – Little House on the Prairie Cast Breakfast will be held at 8:30 am with the LHOTP cast. Breakfast tickets are $100 each.
The LHOTP on the Prairie cast meet and greets be Friday 12pm – 4pm and Saturday & Sunday 10 am- 4 pm. Ticket Cost is just $20. The cast will be available for photos, autographs and will have a huge variety of their merchandise for sale. It will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center. Such a fantastic setting!
Other activities are being confirmed an added soon. More activities including an old fashioned marionette puppet show, MORE exhibits & displays, even MORE cast & guest stars & Little House on the Prairie: The Musical.
The following cast members were originally listed. No word if they were accidentally left off in the transfer or if they are no longer coming.
- Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
- Leslie Landon Matthews (Miss Eva Plum aka Michael Landon’s daughter)
- Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson, wife of Willie Oleson in the 9th season)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/753166881417?aff=oddtdtcreator
Little House 50th Anniversary – Farm and Home Center – Lancaster, PA – September 3-4, 2024
Tuesday, September 3rd – Sold Out
Bright Sides Opportunity Center, 515 Hershey Ave, Lancaster, PA, 17603
Wednesday, September 4th
Cast Meet and Greet, 10am-5pm ($15)
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, 7pm ($150)
LHOTP original cast members scheduled to appear will include:
-
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Alison Arngrim (Nasty Nellie)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- Jennifer Steffin (Young Rose Wilder)
- Victor & Tracy French (Victor French’s Children)
- Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder).
You never know who else will show up!
The Little House on the Prairie Cast Meet and Greet will be held Wednesday from10 am- 5 pm ($15). The cast will be available for photos, autographs and will have a huge variety of their merchandise for sale. It will be held at the Bright Side Opportunities Center in beautiful Lancaster, PA!
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater, 7pm ($150) – Dinner with the cast will take place at the Bright Side Opportunities Center at 7 pm. The dinner will feature a delicious catered meal. The evening with feature Cast members sharing their stories of their time working on this iconic TV show. And it’s a Murder Mystery! Who did it? ($150)
A VIP all access package will include: one ticket to the Wednesday LHOTP Murder Mystery Cast Dinner sitting directly at the table with cast member, access to the cast Meet & Greet, and a great souvenir swag bag! VIP Package is limited to 50 lucky VIP guests. Cost is $225. A once in a lifetime experience!
It all happens in Lancaster, PA on Wednesday September 4, 2024.
Ticket info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/792807006097?aff=oddtdtcreator
Johnny Cash’s Hideaway Farm – Lyle, TN – September 14-15, 2024
Two BIG days of fun on Johnny Cash’s Farm, as we celebrate 50 Years of Little House on the Prairie! Remember the Little House on the Prairie episode called “The Collection” guest-starring Johnny and June Carter Cash? “Nellie” confided to us that she was jealous she didn’t get to be in this episode because she wanted so much to meet them. “Mary Ingalls” said Johnny and June impressed her the most over any other guest stars on Little House! So – we took Mary Ingalls at her word, and decided to just make Nellie’s dreams come true by taking her to Johnny Cash’s farm in Lyles, Tennessee for one of our Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion Fan Events – and YOU’RE INVITED to join us too!!
You’ll even get a chance to see a recreation of the outfits worn by Johnny & June from the Collection Episode, being created specially for this event by Laura Ingalls Gunn. She will have on display other costumes featured on the show! AND get this! You’ll get to see the original Bible used on the LHOTP set by Dabs Greer. Loads of surprises are in store.
The Little House on the Prairie Cast Meet and Greet – Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 11am – 4pm ($25)
“Prairie Remembers” Dinner Original cast members honor the actors who are longer with us with their memories from the prairie, including June Carter and Johnny Cash. – Saturday, 7pm ($175)
Breakfast with the Cast – Sunday, 8am ($100)
Walnut Grove Style Church Service – Sunday, 10am. Hosted by Wendi Lou Lee and Charlotte Stewart
- Todd Bridges (Solomon Henry)
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Jennifer Steffin (Young Rose Wilder)Info & tickets: https://bit.ly/3SyulYaTicket info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/797942406217?aff=oddtdtcreator
50th Anniversary – Christmas & Little House on the Prairie – Branson, MO – November 15-17, 2024
Branson Convention Center in Branson, MO on November 15-17, 2024 The cast plus all the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas! This will be Gravel Road Market’s largest gathering yet. It will be held at the Branson Convention Center which adjoins The Hilton Hotel! Plus a HUGE amount of the Little House cast, guest stars & crew! The event will also feature over 100 vendors at the Prairie Village Christmas Vendor Market, featuring handmade crafts, antiques/vintage, boutiques, gourmet foods and so much more!
- Friday Night 4 pm -8 pm
- Saturday & Sunday will be held from 10 am- 4 pm.
- Ticket Cost is just $25
- one ticket to the Saturday Prairie Remembers Dinner
- one ticket to the Sunday Cast Breakfast
- 3 days VIP access to the cast Meet & Greets,
a special invite to the private (invitation only) Friday Night gathering - a great souvenir swag bag! VIP Package is limited!
- Cost is $600
Cast members scheduled to appear:
- Matthew Labyorteaux (Albert Ingalls)
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Jennifer Steffin (Young Rose Wilder)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Tracy & Victor French (children of Victor French-Mr Edwards)
- Peter Billingsley (Gideon Hale)
- Jimmy McNichol (Harry Baker)
- Rick Hurst (Jacob Johnson)
- Martha Wade Nix (Dual Roles, Holly & Amy)
- Rachel Longaker (Ginny Clark)
- Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson)
- Tony Becker (Zeke)
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/765415748107?aff=oddtdtcreatorLittle House on the Prairie: The Musical
Liberty, Missouri
January 18-20, 2024
Basic Information:
https://kcparent.com/events/little-house-on-the-prairie-the-musical
Corbin Theatre
15 N. Water St.
Liberty, Missouri
PHONE: (402)917-4716
E-MAIL: info@corbintheatre.org
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
January 26 – February 10, 2024
Basic Information:
https://www.lakeshoreplayers.org/little-house-on-the-prairie
Hanifl Performing Arts Center
4941 Long Ave.
White Bear Lake, Minnesota
PHONE: 651-426-3275
EMAIL: office@lakeshoreplayers.org
Spearfish, South Dakota
February 23-25, 2024
Basic Information:
https://www.bhsu.edu/about-bhsu/news-events/2024/02/Little-House-Musical
Woodburn Auditorium
1200 University Street
Spearfish, SD 57799-9502
PHONE: 605-642-6268
EMAIL: Casey.Hibbert@BHSU.edu
Griffin, Georgia
April 19-21, 2024
Basic Information:
https://camelottheatre.com/little-house-on-the-prairie
Camelot Theatre Company
205 Spalding Drive
Griffin, GA 30223
Phone: (678) 469-2913
E-mail: brad@camelottheatre.com
Morristown, NJ
May 11-12, 18-19, 2024
Basic Information:
http://www.spotlightkidscompany.com/tickets.html
The Greek Theatre in Morris Township
2 Convent Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
E-mail Contact Form:
http://www.spotlightkidscompany.com/contact-us.html
St. Redlands, California
Weekends August 24 – September 29, 2024
Performances: Friday – 7:00pm; Saturday – 2:00pm and 7:00pm; Sunday – 2:00pm
Special Weekday performances on September 26 at 7:00pm
Basic Information:
https://allevents.in/redlands/little-house-on-the-prairie-the-musical/200024885183332
LifeHouse Theater
1135 N Church
St. Redlands, CA
PHONE: 909-335-3037
E-MAIL: Contact Form
Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy and Research Association
You have to be a member to sign up for these online events.
LIWLRA online all day conference – Feb. 10, 2024
Locations That No Longer Hold Events
- American Printing House for the Blind – Louisville, Kentucky
- Genesee Country Village and Museum – Mumford, NY
- Heritage Hill – Green Bay WI
- National Cowgirl Museum – Fort Worth, Texas
Sarah S. Uthoff is a nationally known Laura Ingalls Wilder authority and has presented at five of the Wilder homesites, many times at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, many conferences and numerous libraries, museums, and events around the Midwest. She is the main force behind Trundlebed Tales fighting to bring the History, Mystery, Magic, and Imagination of Laura Ingalls Wilder and other greats of children’s literature and history to life for a new generation. How can you help? Attend one of her programs, schedule one yourself, watch her videos, listen to her podcast, look at her photos, and find her on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , SlideShare, and Academia.edu . Professionally she is a reference librarian at Kirkwood Community College and former director of the Oxford (Iowa) Public Library.
Lately it seems like there is a cast member from the NBC TV show rolling out a new book almost every year (last year 2 of them). So the new book this year is the third by Melissa Gilbert. Gilbert had covered her early life and career in her two previous books and this time she’s writing about her life since she married actor Timothy Busfield (Thirtysomething). They moved away from Hollywood first to Michigan and then on to rural New York where she has embraced what she considers a simple life. It was that move that caused Gilbert to sell her main 3 pieces of memorabilia from Little House on the Prairie. Two of them, the fiddle used on the show and one of Mr. Edwards’s costumes, ended up in the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum in the real Walnut Grove, Minnesota. The third was her red dress costume from the show and it ended up in the hands of a private collector.
Walnut Grove does some of the coolest t-shirts in both quality and design. This shirt is my favorite one from this year. It comes with same design on both blue and red shirts. Mansfield also has an official Wilder Days shirt this year which I loved.
Mansfield has some great things this season. The best thing is that they’ve got some first edition copies of the Rose Years books. They’ve created a great wood box to sell them as a set. They have specialized soy candles in both 9 oz and 12 oz candles flavored (Lemon Verbena, Almanzo’s Prize Pumpkin, Big Woods, Ma’s Apple Pie). They’ve also rolled out some new clothes including sweatshirts and ball caps.
Whether you are looking for the perfect present for the Laura Ingalls Wilder fan in your life or you want to know what to put on your own Christmas want list, check out these suggestions!
And don’t forget you can also get your Laura fan gift memberships to the museums or a donation in your Laura fan’s name! Most of the presents that I suggested in 
There are a couple of new books that came out. The South Dakota State Historical Society Press at long last published Laura’s previously unpublished memoir, Pioneer Girl, a few years back. It was a huge smash and they almost immediately started work on a follow-up trilogy. The second of that trilogy has come out as Pioneer Girl: Revisited Texts. As part of Laura and Rose’s efforts to get Pioneer Girl published, several versions were created. This book compares the three versions for changes and maybe how and why changes were made. Nancy Koupal is in charge and I hope to have her back on my podcast soon.
Do you think a Christmas tree ornament is the perfect way to celebrate the holiday? Laura homesites have you covered. The new one this year comes out of the De Smet Memorial Society. They have added another china ornament to their collection. This year’s is the Garth Williams illustration of Pa planting the cottonwood trees. There are specific ornaments by homesite including a wooden hand-painted one from Walnut Grove and the 
Sarah's Notebook 