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Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant
Want to Relive the Good Old
Days? “Come Home To Laura!”
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The popular Laura Ingalls Wilder
Pageant tells the story of 1870’s life in the fl edgling prairie town of Walnut Grove. This year’s LIVE outdoor drama is set for Fridays and Saturdays, JULY 8-9, 15-16, and 22-23!
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 45th 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 fi res, 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.
Plum Plum Creeek”Cree
PAGEANT TICKETS
Tickets are best ordered by calling the ticket offi ce at 888-859-3102. Tickets will be held in Will Call. Email confi rmation 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.; pageant singers perform at 7:30 p.m.; performance begins at 8:30 p.m.
The Wilder Pageant will be celebrating 45 years of performing “Fragments of a Dream.” A cast and crew reunion will be held Saturday, July 9 at 6 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 888-8593102 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 9, 16, 23; 11 a.m.-6 p.m.).
Laura/Nellie Look-a-like contestants are judged on appearance and knowledge of the Little House books.
The Family Festival is held each Saturday during the Wilder pageant and is located at the City Park in downtown Walnut Grove.
www.lyoncomuseum.org
Walking Tour Three floors of Exhibits Schwan’s Ice Cream Shop Gift Shop Research/Genealogical Society Walnut Grove
LAURA/NELLIE LOOK-A-LIKE CONTESTS
Girls 8-12 are invited to take part in the Laura Ingalls Wilder and Nellie Oleson Look-a-Like contests. Registration is from 2 p.m. on July 9, 16, 23 at the Walnut Grove City Park. Contest begins at 3:00 p.m. For online registration visit www.walnutgrove.org. Judging is based on overall appearance and knowledge of the “On the Banks of Plum Creek” book.
Look for most up-to-date information by checking walnutgrove.org for changes, additions and updates.
LOOSE GRAVEL MUSIC FESTIVAL
July 29 & 30 at the Wilder Outdoor Theater. Check the Loosegravelmusicfestival.org or the walnutgrove.org/pageant website to see the blue grass music line up and ticket options for a great day and night of Americana, Blue Grass and Roots music.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH SITE
The 1874 church that the Ingalls family attended was located on the corner of 5th and Bedal Streets. The church was torn down in 1954, replaced by private home that is unavailable for viewing.
LAFAYETTE BEDAL HOME
Laura and Mary attended school in the home of Lafayette Bedal located on the corner of 4th and Washington Streets.
LAURA INGALLS WILDER HISTORIC MONUMENT
Traveling north of Walnut Grove on County Road 5 for 1.6 miles will take you to a monument that honors the Ingalls family and early pioneers.
MASTERS STORE & HALL
Located on the corner of 8th Street and County Road 20, the Master’s Store and Hall is owned by the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and is now open.
PA’S BELL
The original bell that Charles Ingalls helped purchase now hangs in the belfry of the English Lutheran Church at 450 Wiggins Street. Pa Ingalls helped pay for the church bell by donating the last $3 he had saved for a pair of new boots.
