Actually, the “Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Festival” event took place in March 2024, in Simi Valley, California. The series ran on TV from 1974 to 1983. I was just a kid at the time, and I remember watching a couple of episodes, but it didn’t really resonate with me back then.
(Side note: This visit to the festival is what inspired me to read Melissa Gilbert's memoir, "Prairie Tale" which I put up a little earlier this month in my blog)
What I didn’t know in the 1970’s was that Laura Ingalls Wilder had written a series of “Little House” books (eight of them) from 1932 to 1943 based on her experiences growing up on the prairie as a little girl. A 9thbook was published posthumously in 1971. These books were written for children and had a big audience. I just recently read “Little House in the Big Woods.” For me, it talks about another time and place where concepts like family, respect, and hard work are valued. Laura and her sister help cook, clean, and tend the animals. If you think about it, it’s a big adventure. And, honestly, maybe it’s the sense of adventure and the warmhearted respectfulness of family that has resonated throughout the years.
I guess my musings above are about the books, but the books inspired the TV series staring Michael Landon. The TV series also resonated with viewers, and for many the same reasons. The TV series brought the books alive. And the TV series did a lot of things right – it cast good, convincing actors in the roles. It was well produced and well written. The influence of the books was there and if you read the books first, the TV series was a treat.
In less than a week leading up to the 29-31 March 2024 festival, a good friend from New Hampshire reached out to me about the event. Can you believe that I lived in Castaic, not far from Simi Valley, and I hadn’t heard about it? She told me about it and suggested I go if I had the time.
My friend in New Hampshire had been my friend ever since High School and she was a big “Little House” fan. I had the time off so saying “no” wasn’t really an option. I went online and signed up. Only thing was, I was signing up so late, the only package I could buy was the “General Admission.” Otherwise I might have gotten the VIP package or the tour to the Big Sky Ranch where the exteriors were shot.
I went on Saturday, 30 March. It was overcast, cold, and a tad windy so there was a bit of a windchill. Nothing majorly cold. I had a sweatshirt on, and I had to stop by the Goodwill on the way over there from where I parked because my windbreaker zipper broke and I had to get a new windbreaker.
The festival was at a local park. I breezed right in and got a nice pass attached to a lanyard. The area was packed! They had a big top tent where I went first. In this tent, they were having panels with the actors and producers of the show and festival. I sat and listened as to how the festival came together. Several fans who were gifted artists recreated the indoor sets inside the rec center and I didn’t get a chance to see that because the line was so long.
I stopped by a food truck for lunch and got a tri-tip sandwich.
Next, I went to the souvenir tent and bought a bunch of souvenirs for me and my friend. It was long line, trust me. After that, I went exploring. I came across a pioneering area where they showed you how to make rope. There was a mercantile, a soap making demonstration, a school, a blacksmith and other items. I enjoyed this area very much. I stopped and learned how to make rope. I loved watching the blacksmith demonstration.
They also had a tent that showed old episodes of the show.
As I continued exploring, I found a stage where the cast members were having panels. First up: Alison Arngrim who played Nellie. She shared several stories about the creative process and talked about what she’d been doing after the show. She speaks fluent French and is involved in French comedy shows. Alison was very warm and engaging.
Next up with Melissa Gilbert. Last I knew she was married to Bruce Boxleitner. I soon learned she was now married to Tim Busfield and they lived on a farm in the Catskills of New York having gone “Back to the Prairie.” She, like Alison, was very warm and engaging. What really struck me was her upfront honesty. I really enjoyed both panels.
The line for autographs was too long, but I believe Karen Grassley was there as was Dean Butler and several other stars. I wish I could have waited for the lines, but each was over an hour and I was by myself. I got there at 11 am and didn’t leave until 5 pm.
At one of the panels, they said over 1200 people had come just that day, but I would say it was closer to 3000. I think the organizers were stunned at just how many people came. Not only did they come, they came dressed like they were on the prairie in their old fashioned dresses and sunbonnets.
Overall, the positive, upbeat vibes really resonated with me. I saw how the show had made such an impression with so many people and I wanted to learn more. Mind you, it’s been slow. I think I’ve caught only 4 episodes of the show on Amazon Prime, but I did read Melissa’s “Prairie Tale” memoir. Up next: Alison’s memoir, and Melissa’s “Back to the Prairie.” Dean Butler has a book coming out soon so that may be on the list. I also got a sample of Melissa Sue Anderson’s book. Lol! The curiosity in me has been piqued!
Did you watch Little House on the Prairie back in the 1970’s? Did you read the books? Were you a Michael Landon or Melissa Gilbert fan? I’d love to hear your stories!
*****
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