Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant

08/07/2026

The Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Committee met before the picnic July 29th.

Some items discussed were the budget.
What is left to complete after this year's production. There will be some clean up yet dates probably in September. There is a need for reorganization in preparation of the 50th Anniversary next summer.
The Committee revisited "Pay What You Can Thursday" and some ideas on how to move forward in the coming years.
"Save the Date" cards should be designed by August for the 50th Anniversary. Finishing the restrooms will still be on hold due to funding.
In September over the past several years there has been a Community Meeting. It has been decided due to lack of interest, there will be no Community Meeting this year. Instead, it was suggested there be a survey sent out to the local newspapers and posted to Facebook. This is very important to the committee, as we believe there are meaningful ways the pageant can better support the community. We would greatly value the community's input so we can better understand its needs and ensure our efforts make a positive and lasting impact.

08/06/2026

At the end of each season at the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant there is a Pageant Picnic.

Anyone who helped in any way is invited to our picnic as an appreciation of the hard work they all put into our production. The number of volunteers it takes to make a successful season is immense.

The Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant appreciated each and every person who donates their time. We understand that everyone leads busy lives, which makes us appreciate your help even more. Whether you contributed an hour or two or devoted many hours, your support was greatly needed and deeply valued.

We hope to see all our cast & crew next year for our 50th Anniversary of the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder pageant productions.

08/04/2026

A note on Southwest Minnesota Nice 🙂

During the three pageant weekends The Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant noticed some very nice people.

First, we were told of a family whose car broke down in or near Springfield, MN, which is about 30 minutes from Walnut Grove. The family were on their way to see the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. They ended up arriving to the show just after 9:00 p.m. This was thanks to a very kind waitress who borrowed the family her car. Unfortunately, we did not get the waitresses name but that is amazing.

Second a person forgot their water bottle at Fond Memories at the Creamery. Did Doreen say oh well, that's too bad? Nope, she drove down to the pageant site and found the family and returned their water bottle.

Third a family arrived at the Walnut Grove Village Fair with a car that was broke down. They found a couple people in the park wearing STAFF T-shirts (Rick who in turn found Adam) and the two went in search of an auto mechanic. They found Dean Baker who was serving burgers at the Walnut Grove Legion. Last we heard Dean was in the process of repairing the vehicle on a very hot Saturday afternoon. This was after hours as Dean is generally not open on Saturdays.

We at the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant love to hear stories of people helping people. They receive no rewards for their kindness, except knowing they went the extra mile to make someone's day a bit easier. The pioneers relied on each other's helping hands in good times and bad times as in our scene pictured below of the neighbor ladies helping Caroline when baby Freddie was born.

Maybe this will help someone else who's going through a difficult time. Knowing that something you shared made a difference for another person is an incredible feeling. The sense of fulfillment that comes from helping someone is truly exceptional.

08/04/2026

“I am not claiming to be a cool country gal. While I love the outdoors, I definitely enjoy it with modern-day amenities. But when my daughter started showing an interest in The Little House picture book series, well … I hitched up the covered wagon (fueled up the car) and took her to Southwest Minnesota’s Prairielands region, where Laura lived. Our mission? To see the annual Wilder Pageant in Walnut Grove …”

Livin' la vida Little House

07/29/2026

Love at the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant.

This year our own Caroline became engaged to Lucas. According to Jennie exactly one year after their first date Lucas asked the big question, and down on one knee. Of course, Jennie said yes along with some happy tears.

Congratulations Jennie & Lucas, we wish you many happy times as you plan for your wedding day. And many years of wedded bliss.

07/28/2026

The 49th production of the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant is in the books.

It is always bittersweet when the show comes to an end. After months of hard work, beginning in April, and countless late nights of rehearsals, everyone is ready for a well-deserved rest after presenting the show to our audiences.

The cast and crew have incredible dedication to the success of our show. Many have been part of the show for 10, 20, or even more years, and a few have been involved for an amazing 49 years. Their love for the pageant, the joy of performing, and the friendships they've built keep them coming back year after year.

We are a pageant family, and it is that sense of family, passion, and tradition that shines through in every performance. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this wonderful show with our audiences and look forward to creating more memories together in the years to come.

Please enjoy a slide show of some of the work that went into the production this year from clean up, building sets, work on the new restrooms, practices and the live performances.

07/28/2026

07/27/2026

The season has come to an end for the Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. We had great audiences who clapped and sang along with the show. The audience totals were:
Friday July 11: 436
Saturday July 12: 512
Thursday July 16: 290 (First ever "Pay What You Can")
Friday July 17: 468
Saturday July 18: 524
Friday July 24: 564
Saturday July 25: 448

Despite the very warm summer we have had, we had a great year at the pageant. We had a cast of 56 actors and so many behind the scenes set crew, lighting and sound, concessions stand, groundkeepers, car parkers, ticket takers, horsemen, volunteers who helped get the sets ready and to put everything away. We cannot say thank you enough to the volunteers who put so much work and heart into this production. Volunteers are definitely at the heart of our shows. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

Props, sets, chairs and costumes will all be cleaned and stored away for next year's 50th Anniversary. Plans are already underway now for next year's great celebration.

We hope you can join us next year!

07/24/2026

Last night was the last practice at Walnut Grove Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant. Tonight July 24 and tomorrow Saturday July 25th are the last two shows for the season.

The cast and crew were in full dress last night. A few props were stored away that are no longer being used in preparation for the 50th Anniversary next July.

After practice the cast and crew were treated with a pizza party. The cast was also able to watch a video produced by Bill Richards. This was very popular as many in the cast have never seen themselves in the show.

07/22/2026

Here's a schedule of events for our last Saturday, July 25th.