Yes, it says 2023 events. There were so many that got added as the year went along I wanted to go ahead and save them as a snapshot now instead of just at the beginning of the year and watch for me to post what I have for 2024 sometime early next year. For now I’m adding them on to the end of 2023.
2023 Laura Ingalls Wilder Events Around the Country
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 April May 2023 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.
This year is bound to be an odd year for homesite events. There will still be some recovery issues and there is still likely to be rearranging of activities and some still might not be available.
CHECK BACK! for changes throughout the year. I make changes and updates on this page and not on the 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 156th birthday is Feb. 7, 2023. We will honor her birthday in Pepin with a special presentation, “Laura Ingalls Wilder: The Real Story,” with interpreter Laura Keyes, to be held Sunday, Feb. 5, at 5:00 at the Pepin School. This presentation is a collaborative project of Pepin Community Education and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society of Pepin. For more information: https://www.pepin.k12.wi.us/community/
Home at Laura’s Place – 9:00 am to 5:00pm (2nd weekend, Saturday and Sunday)
- May 13-14, 2023
- June 10-11, 2023
- July 8-9, 2023
- August 12-13, 2023
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.
Laura Days – September 9 & 10, 2023
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. This year is a fresh start, but it’s hard to say at this point what will be included.
Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) is their speaker.
Hours
Open 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily (including weekends & holidays) from May 1st thru October 28, 2023 (including Memorial Day, July 4, & Labor Day).
Last Day of Season: October 28, 2023
2024 Season Opens: May 1, 2024
Independence KS
Prairie Days has long been their main Laura event, but it’s cancelled for this year and their focus has shifted to a Carrie Ingalls Swanzey birthday party in August.
Carrie Ingalls Swanzey Birthday Party – Saturday, July 29, 2023 – 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Hours
Open March 15th – November 1st, 2023 – 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm everyday.
[Opening and closing dates not confirmed.]
Walnut Grove MN
This year starts a brand new trilogy of plays in place of the Fragments of a Dream pageant. The 1st play they put on for this new series will actual be the 2nd one in the trilogy. The first in the trilogy will be closest to traditional Fragments of a Dream so they are skipping on to the 2nd one. It’s called Chasing the Dream, 1875-1876.
- July 7-8, 2023
- July 14-15, 2023
- July 21-22, 2023
Family Festival held in Walnut Grove City Park on pageant Saturdays, July 8, 15, and 22, 2023. 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. On July 15th William T. Anderson and Cindy Wilson of Beautiful Snow will be there.
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 next year. They don’t have any information as far as date or attendees yet. If you plan on going look for where you want to stay now so you’ll be fast booking where you stay when they release dates.
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 19, 2023, Burr Oak Lutheran Church 6pm, Also on Zoom
- Spaghetti Supper – Decorah Lutheran church on March 4, 2023 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!
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Laura’s Sack Lunch Drive-Thru Meal – May 7, 2023
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 23-25, 2023
- Coloring Contest –
Enter the Masters Hotel Coloring Contest! The contest is open for all 8, 9, and 10 year olds. Download the picture and send to the museum by June 12, 2023. 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
- Opens May 1, 2023
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 – 4:00 Last tour 3:00
Sunday: Noon – 4:00 Last tour 3:00 - Memorial Day – Labor Day
Monday-Saturday: 10:00 – 5:00 Last tour 4:00
Sunday: Noon – 4:00 Last tour 3:00 - Post Labor Day – Mid October:
Thursday-Saturday: 10:00 – 4:00 Last tour 3:00
Closed Sunday-Wednesday - Last day of the 2023 season TBD
De Smet SD
An on-going summer event will be a special exhibit of original Garth Williams artwork. When Williams’s family decided to sell out his collection De Smet set out to buy as many pieces as possible and I think got more than any of the other homesite museums. This summer in honor of the 70th anniversary of Garth Williams art being released in the standardized set they have a bunch of them on display in a special exhibit.
- Heart of the Prairie
An original production, is described as featuring Laura and early De Smet history. - July 7, 8, 9, 2023
- July 14, 15, 16. 2023
- July 21, 22, 23
- Gates Open 6 pm, Performance at 8 pm
Old Settlers Day will be Saturday, June 10, 2023.
First School event – July 15, 2023 -Prairie Life Artist, April Rusche
De Smet Event #3 (name not official)
- July 22, 2023
- 10 am – Judy Thompson – Artist who did covers for Pioneer Girl Project
- 1 pm Cindy Wilson – Author of The Beautiful Snow
- 2 pm William Anderson
- July 23, 2023
- 2 pm William Anderson
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 11– 13, 2023 with the wet sale on Sunday the 13th.
We don’t have dates for 2023 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. -
“Badger Clark: The Cowboy Poet”- Saturday, December 9, 2023 – 5pm. This year’s performance is going to include readings of poems by Badger Clark who was a 19th century South Dakota cowboy poet. You can attend in person at the De Smet Wellness Center. Reach them at 605-854-6060. Tickets are $20.00 Previously it was broadcast live on Facebook, also, but no confirmation of that yet.
Memorial Society
- January-April: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Call ahead for tour times - May: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
School field trips 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 - Labor Day Hours: Monday, September 4, 2023 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
- September: Monday-Saturday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Tours at 10:00 am, 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm* - October-December: Monday-Friday 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Call ahead for tour times.
Ingalls Homestead
Of all the homesite museums the Ingalls Homestead does the best at putting out updates for the entire area around De Smet.
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Spring: May 1- 25, 2023
Monday – Friday – Hours vary daily as we host school field trips. We do not keep regular hours, but we can still host visitors. Please contact us for availability. 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.
Saturday & Sunday – We are closed on weekends prior to Memorial Day. -
Summer: May 27 – September 4, 2023
Open 9 am – 7 pm, Activities from 10 am – 6 pm – The first covered wagon ride leaves at 10 am and the final covered wagon ride leaves at 6 pm, with rides and activities throughout the day. We are open every day including Sundays, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. -
Autumn: September 5 – September 30, 2023
Open 9 am – 5 pm; Activities offered from 11 am – 2 pm, Saturday Activities offered from 11 am – 4 pm
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, 2023
Daily 9 am – 5 pm, weather permitting
No activities offered, but the grounds, visitors center, and gift shop are open.
Spring Valley MN
- Spring Cleaning May 6, 2023
- Ice Cream Social June 17, 2023 at 5pm
- Eliza JaneOne Room School Days End of July (TBD)
- Ag Days (formerly Wilder Fest) August 18-20, 2023
- Winter Fundraiser December 5, 2023
Hours
Open between Memorial Day Weekend thru the end of August. 10:00 am – 4:00 pm daily. 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.
- Mother’s Day – Friday, May, 12th
Come to Rocky Ridge Farm for a special Mother’s Day activity. After enjoying the trails and the tours, visit the patio next to the main building and create a beautiful flower arrangement to take home using pipe cleaners! Parents are encouraged to participate. - 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 24-28, 2023
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. - Wilder Days and the Laura Ingalls Wilder Fiddle Off – September 22-23, 2023
Annual celebration commemorating Laura Ingalls Wilder, America’s favorite pioneer girl, and her cherished Little House books. We will be having our 8th Annual Fiddle Contest on Wilder Day. It will be a great day to enjoy fiddle music on the property as well as to hear Pa’s Fiddle played.
Please come out and enjoy the festivities. Visit our Facebook page for more info. - Fundraising Dinner – TBA
The 6th Annual, “Wilder Dinner.” Patrick Labyorteaux, who played Andy Garvey on the NBC TV series, will be the special guest. The date has not been announced, but is normally on the Friday of Wilder days which is September 22nd. - The Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival – November 2-3, 2023
The 5th Annual, Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival. This year’s Wilder Medal honoree will be William T. Anderson. For more information please visit www.liwclf.com
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Jean C. Coday Day at Rocky Ridge Farm – November 4, 2023As 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 9, 2023- 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, 2023
- 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.
- Friday, January 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm CST
2023 Annual Meeting- public invited - 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, 2023
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 27 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
Carrie Ingalls Swanzey’s Birthday Party – Friday July 29 – Saturday July 30th for a small event with activities, music, and birthday cake.
Hours
- Monday-Friday 10am – 4pm
- Saturday 10am – 2pm
Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum – West Branch IA
They do a special Laura program every year in September with a speaker. No word on date, time, or format for this year’s.
American Printing House for the Blind – Louisville, Kentucky
The American Printing House for the Blind has canceled all events this year because of a remodel. It’s not supposed to be finished until 2023.
Pomona Public Library – Pomona CA
No Laura’s birthday Gingerbread Sociable will be held again this year. It may return next year, but they won’t know until the end of 2023.
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.
Little House Adventure Summer Camp – One day adventure camps for kids held 3 different times. Registration is a separate fee. Kids ages 8-10.
- Thursday, July 6, 2023| 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, July 20, 2023 | 10 am – 3 pm
- Thursday, August 10, 2023 | 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 30, 2023| 10 am – 3 pm
Heritage Hill – Green Bay WI
- They are not doing a Laura Ingalls Wilder event this year. Previously they said their plan was to have a Laura event every other year going forward. This would be the year and they don’t have one scheduled. When last heard from they were considering a prairie days event, but that was a couple of years ago.
Genesee Country Village and Museum – Mumford, NY
- The seem to have given up on Wilder Weekend, at least for now. They do have various events that would be of interest to Laura fans a couple of times a month. Check their schedule.
Nelson Pioneer Farm – Oskaloosa, Iowa
- 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
National Cowgirl Museum – Fort Worth, Texas
The National Cowgirl Museum previously had held an annual event, but stopped having it. They brought it back for the 150th as a one shot. This year they don’t seem to have any events scheduled so far.
Project Archeology
July 14-15, 2023
Blue Earth, MN
Project Archeology teaches classes for teachers. You have to register before hand, but can get both Continuing Education (MN) and college credit. This class must be pre-registered for and costs $129 for Continuing Education credit and $152 for College Credit. There are only 16 spaces available. As you can see in the agenda the focus is on more general 19th century Midwest farm archeology.
Website for Class
Agenda for Class
The Newberry
Saturdays, Oct 07–Nov 11, 2023 – 1:00pm–3:00pm
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
South Dakota Historical Society Press Event
June 15, 2023 7:00 p.m. CT
The third volume in the Pioneer Girl Project series, Pioneer Girl: The Path into Fiction follows Wilder as she steps away from autobiography and into the world of fiction. The story began in Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography (2014), edited by Pamela Smith Hill, which made the original text of Wilder’s 1930 autobiography available to readers for the first time. But that was only the start of Wilder’s journey as an American novelist. Wilder next handed her text over to her daughter, novelist and journalist Rose Wilder Lane, for editing. The second volume in the series, Pioneer Girl: The Revised Texts (2021), edited by Nancy Tystad Koupal and other Pioneer Girl Project editors, presented Lane’s three revisions of the Pioneer Girl manuscript, allowing readers to explore the working relationship between Lane and Wilder.
https://www.sdhsf.org/events/event-form/june-15-2023-history-talks-presentation-registration/84694/tickets
June 22, 2023 1:00pm MDT – Spearfish SD
Author Signing and Book Release Event for Pioneer Girl: From Fact to Fiction
High Plains Western Heritage Center – Spearfish SD
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival – Marshfield, Missouri
Little House events
April 27, 2023
9 AM – 5 PM – Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO presents a traveling exhibit on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder- Webster County Library (Free Admission)
9 AM- Judy Wampler will speak about “Laura Ingalls Wilder from Wisconsin to Missouri” using her quilt collection and her book- Marshfield Assembly of God
11 AM- Cindy Wilson (author) will speak about her book, “The Beautiful Snow: The Ingalls Family, the Railroads, and the Hard Winter of 1880-81”- Book signing will follow the presentation in the church foyer- Marshfield Assembly of God
4:35 PM- “Legends of Television and Screen” Panel featuring actors and actresses from several classic television shows and cinema classics- Lauren Chapin (Kitten, Father Knows Best), Gayla Peevey (Singer, I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas), Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace, Little House on the Prairie), Kim Lankford (Knots Landing), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson, Little House on the Prairie), Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu, It’s a Wonderful Life) and others- Marshfield Assembly of God
April 28, 2023
8 AM- Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum hosts, “Nellie’s Breakfast”-Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson, Little House on the Prairie) will interview Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey, Little House on the Prairie)- Benefiting the Laura Ingalls Wilder Children’s Literature Festival- Sponsored by Federal Protection – Marshfield Assembly of God Fellowship Hall- Tickets are $25 per person, 2023 Cherry Blossom Festival Events | Eventbrite or call 808-345-4975.
9 AM – 5 PM- Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum in Mansfield, MO presents a traveling exhibit on the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder- Webster County Library (Free Admission)
2 PM- Annual Missouri Walk of Fame Ceremony- Honoring six famous Missourians with stars on the historic Walk of Fame. Honorees include: Hersha Parady (Actress, Little House on the Prairie), Ken Osmond (Actor), Pamela Baird (Actress), May Kennedy McCord (Folklorist), David Harrison (Author) and Moore & Moore (Entertainers). The Blue Jay Singers will perform as well- Marshfield Assembly of God
Reunion of the TV show cast– April 27-30, 2023
Find more info on their website and on their Facebook page
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Cast Reunions at Non-Homesite Towns of More than 3 Cast Members
Macon, MO
The Northeast Missouri Spring Pickers Market
April 1, 2023 10 am – 5 pm
April 2, 2023 10 am – 4 pm
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Hersha Parady (Alice Garvey)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andrew Garvey)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Bloomsfield, IA
Midwest Antique Fest and Flea Market
May 12, 2023 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
May 13, 2023 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andrew Garvey)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
Hannibal, MO
Special LHOTP Mother’s Day Riverboat Dinner Cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat
May 14, 2023 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- And maybe a surprise guest or 2! (I have no idea who, just reporting on what the website says.)
Grand Rivers, KY
Join the Little House on the Prairie cast members as we head to Patti’s 1880s Settlement on August 25-26 in Grand Rivers, KY! The weekend as a whole features several different dinners, breakfasts, book signings, and even a church service. Of special note is “The Prairie Remembers Encore Dinner at 6:30pm, inside the Saloon…The dinner will honor many of the LHOTP cast members that have passed away.” The actual schedule seems to be in a lot of flux and events are selling out fairly quickly. They have links to purchase tickets, but no summary page. My best advice is to check out Jack Bishop’s Facebook page where he is posting most of the information as he gets it.
August 25 and 26, 2023
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Mayfield, KY (Faces at the Window)
Cartwright Grove in Mayfield, KY, located at the Mayfield-Graves County Fairgrounds. “The Prairie Remembers” Encore Dinner at 6:30pm, inside the Saloon. Link for tickets for Cartwright Grove: Cartwright Tickets Sunday (August 27th) start out at Cartwright Grove with an old fashioned “Walnut Grove” free church service at 8:00 am held at the little church in Cartwright Grove. This will be hosted by Wendi Lou Lee and Miss Charlotte Stewart! The Cast (Sunday, August 27th) Meet & Greet will happen from 9 am until 1pm at Cartwright Grove. Those tickets are available now. AND we will have authentic stagecoach rides from 10-1 at Cartwright Grove on Sunday. (Some of this verbage was borrowed from Alison’s newsletter.)
Nashville, TN
Little House on the Prairie Riverboat Dinner Cruise will be aboard the General Jackson Showboat on Sunday, August 27, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee for a 3 hour dinner cruise event!
August 27, 2023
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- and you never know who else will join us!The night will feature an amazing TN BBQ buffet dinner, live entertainment, a special live auction and a Q & A by the LHOTP cast members. Cost is $165 for adults and $130 for children 12 & under. Here’s the ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/648228237107
Orlando, FL
Fanboy Expo Orlando Convention
September 1-3, 2023
Get Tickets, Fan Packages, Photo Ops and Autographs
www.fanboyexpo.com/orlando
- Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
- Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia)
- You never know who else will show up!
The Prairie Folks Antique and Craft Festival
Pawhuska, Oklahoma
September 23-24, 2023
The Prairie Folks Antique & Craft Festival on September 23/24 in Pawhuska, OK!
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Patrick Labyorteaux (Andy Garvey)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
LHOTP Christmas-Prairie Style
Mountain Home, Arkansas
November 18-19, 2023
Tickets on Event Bright
- Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
Corsicana, Texas
“Have Yourself a Prairie Christmas”
December 2-3, 2023
Saturday/Sunday meet and greet held at the Pioneer Village and a Sunday VIP breakfast & special Christmas on the Prairie Dinner with the cast on Saturday night at the Corsicana Opry.
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
The Gene Autry Museum
Little House on the Prairie: A Celebration! – Saturday, May 13, 2023, 1:00pm
According to the latest Nellie Newsletter it’s on May 12, 2023, but the Autry finally posted the event and they say the 13th. Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) will join with Little House cast & crew to gratefully honor Michael Landon and Little House producer Kent McCray at the Autry Museum of the American West in Burbank, CA.
https://theautry.org/events/live-performances/little-house-prairie-celebration
Little House on the Prairie: The Musical
Eau Claire, WI
February 3-5, 2023
- Basic Information:
https://www.pablocenter.org/all-events/589/ecct-little-house-on-the-prairie - Pablo Center at the Confluence
128 Graham Ave
Eau Claire WI 54701 - 1 (715) 832-2787 (spells ARTS)
Westminster, CA
May 19 – June 11, 2023
Basic Information:
https://www.wcpstage.com/?fbclid=IwAR36lSMZpWu-SKFFaeZRpOsgtlHnmwtDtDroD3tJnnO9R107aujJNBM3bCg
Westminster Community Theater
7272 Maple Street
Westminster, CA 92683
1 (714) 893-8626
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
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
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.
Sunday, February 5, 2023 – William Anderson Q&A
Sunday, March 12 2023 – 1 pm – Nancy McCabe & Beth Nolan Connors on comparing “Little House” and Little Women
Sunday, April 23, 2023 – 3 pm Eastern | 2 pm Central (US) – Homesite Preview, with representatives from the Little House homesites
Saturday, May 20, 2023 – Coyote Shook as our speaker, with a presentation titled: “Mary Goes to College”: Blindness, Home Economics and Rural Futurism in the World of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Coyote’s paper will borrow from critical disability studies and the histories of home economics & agriculture science to discuss the narratives of Laura Ingalls Wilder though a new lens.
Sunday, June 11, 2023 – 2 pm Eastern | 1 pm Central – A Virtual Dime Sociable – in other words a whole hour of member discussion in place of an invited speaker. We’re calling it ‘A Rose in June’ because our theme will be the fascinating topic of Rose Wilder Lane. This event will be for members only.
Sunday, September 24, 2023 – 1pm CDT – “Schooltime Begins Again” – themed member discussion of schooling and education in the world of Little House
Sunday, October 22, 2023 – 1 pm CDT – Sarah Uthoff – Historic Foodways and Laura Ingalls Wilder.
2024
LIWLRA online all day conference – Feb. 10, 2024
50th Anniversary of TV Show and Cast Reunion – Simi Valley, CA – March 22-24, 2024
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
Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival – April 25-27, 2024
50th Anniversary Event – Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards in Pepin, WI – May 10-11, 2024, LaCrosse WI – May 12, 2024
- Karen Grassle (Ma Ingalls)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace Ingalls)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby 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 LHOTP 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)
- 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=oddtdtcreator50th Anniversary Event – Walnut Grove, MN – July 19-21, 2024
50th Anniversary Cast Reunion – Torrington, CT – August 30-31 & September 1, 2024; three big days of a LHOTP 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion.
- Susan McCray, the Casting Director of LHOTP
- Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls)
- Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls)
- Wendi Lou Lee (Grace Ingalls)
- Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
- Melissa “Missy” Francis (Cassandra Ingalls)
- Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)
- Allison Balson (Nancy Oleson)
- Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
- Lucy Lee Flippin (Eliza Jane Wilder)
- Pamela Roylance (Sarah Carter)
- Stan Ivar (John Carter)
- David Friedman (Jason Carter)
- Jennifer Donati (Baby Rose Wilder)
- Olivia Barash (Sylvia Webb)
- Gil Gerald (Chris Nelson)
- Leslie Landon Matthews (Miss Plum)
-
Sherri Stoner (Rachel Brown Oleson, wife of Willie Oleson in the 9th season)
- Victor and Tracy French – children of Victor French (Mr. Edwards)
Wilder Days – Mansfield, MO – September 27-28, 2024
UPDATED July 29, 2023: Patrick Labyorteaux, who played Andy Garvey, announced as Mansfield guest speaker for Wilder Days.
UPDATED May 3, 2023: I replaced the 2022 list with the 2023 list. And no sooner had I posted it but another 3 actor event appeared in my feed. And another Mansfield event appeared. The day I published.
UPDATED May 23, 2023: I added the Grand Rivers, Kentucky event.
UPDATED May 24, 2023: I added the Project Archeology event.
UPDATED June 1, 2023: I added the Nashville Cruises event.
UPDATED June 2, 2023: I added the South Dakota Historical Society Press event.
UPDATED June 28, 2023: Added 2 dates to the Spring Valley list.
UPDATED July 3, 2023: I added details to the KY actor event, a De Smet event, and added the Garth Williams display.
UPDATED July 5, 2023: I got confirmation for dates and times for Keystone and updated it. I added the Westminster, CA musical dates.
UPDATED July 15, 2023: I got the dates for the Cherry Blossom Festival for Marshfield, MO next year.
UPDATED July 20, 2023: I added details for Arkansas cast event.
UPDATED July 23, 2023: I got the dates for the Walnut Grove Reunion next year.
UPDATED August 1, 2023: Added the link to the Harvey Dunn Plein Aire Event website and Mayfield, KY event.
UPDATED August 7, 2023: Added the cast member event in Texas in December and the musical production next January.
UPDATED August 18, 2023: I removed a descriptive line no longer true in Pepin and changed out a photo.
UPDATED August 25, 2023: I added my LIWLRA online program and the Newberry class.
UPDATED September 15, 2023: I added the actress who played Sylvia to the Oklahoma event.
UPDATED September 18, 2023: I added the Sept. LIWLRA session.
UPDATED September 30, 2023: I added the full website link to the Simi Vallley event.
UPDATED October 15, 2023: I added 2 more reunion events for next year. One is in Independence, KS and a Pepin one will be added soon.
UPDATED October 23, 2023: I added details to next year’s Independence and Pepin Cast Reunion sites.
UPDATED November 4, 2023: I added the Torrington CT cast event.
UPDATED November 15, 2023: I added another attendee to CT event.
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.
July is the biggest event month of the year and it’s exciting to see everything that’s going on. I’m sorry to miss the Third Laura Ingalls Wilder event in De Smet, but only found out after my summer plans were set that it was happening. I’m glad my friend Kelly and me are going to take a super quick run up to Walnut Grove to see their new pageant after the classic one ran for 45 years I want to see what they do next. I’m not speaking at any of the events this year, but feel free to tell them you want me to next year!
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.
Sarah's Notebook 