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Shetek Area Visitors Guide
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Pageant
Want to Relive the Good Old Days? “Come Home To Laura!” The popular Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant tells the story of 1870’s life in the fledgling prairie town of Walnut Grove. This year’s LIVE outdoor drama is set for Fridays and Saturdays, JULY 9-10,16-17 and 23-24! The family-oriented two-act drama depicts the Ingalls family living near Walnut Grove in the 1870s. Staged in a beautiful natural amphitheater near the banks of Plum Creek a short distance from Walnut Grove, the outdoor drama is faithful to the “Little House” books written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Area volunteers make up the cast and production crew of over 60 people. The pageant, in its 44th season has played to over 300,000 people. This story is based on the fourth book in the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, “On the Banks of Plum Creek.” The drama recounts the construction of the town’s church, prairie fires, and the grasshopper plague that wiped out the family’s wheat crop. Elaborate stage sets are complemented with professional lighting and sound systems. The Ingalls’ dugout home, a church, school and general store are among the sets. COVID HEALTH AND SAFETY We are all ready to return from the “intermission of 2020” and present live theater again. To do so, we will follow guidelines from the State of Minnesota. At present we have adjusted seating to allow social distancing, mask wearing and increased hand washing opportunities. We do this for the safety of both our family audiences and the cast and crew. For update regarding changes to this policy visit the updated, mobile friendly website at walnutgrove.org/pageant. Look under PATRON POLICIES for a complete list of expectations and rules that will be enforced for everyone’s health and safety. PAGEANT TICKETS Tickets are best ordered by calling the ticket office at 888-859-3102. Tickets will be held in Will Call. Email confirmation provided. Tickets may be purchased at the gate but call ahead for availability. Seating options are described on our webpage. VIP Seating $25. Reserved Seating price $20. Child may sit on adult lap without charge. General admission $18. Children age 5 and under admitted free in general admission. General admission holders should bring blankets or folding
chairs for hillside seating. Gates open at 7:00 p.m. NEW THIS YEAR. Performance begins at 8:30 p.m. LOCATION One mile west and one-half mile south of Walnut Grove on Crown Avenue. The roads are all in good shape so far this year. Thank you to Mother Nature and the Minnesota Department of Transportation! PAGEANT SUPPERS During pageant weekends, churches and community groups serve meals from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at the Walnut Grove Community Center at 311 Sixth Street. Open to the public. Menus may vary. Call 888859-3102 for group reservations of 25 or more. Check website in june for additional menu options. FAMILY FESTIVAL This free annual event at the Walnut Grove City Park offers children’s activities, pioneer demonstrations, concessions, arts and crafts, live music and vendor displays. The festival is held three Saturdays of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant (July 10, 17, 24).
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