Discover the Settler Spirt of Little House on the Prairie
Laura Ingalls Wilder Days originated sixteen years ago, featuring dedicated artisans and entertainers faithful to the pioneer spirit in recreating a day in the 1880’s. The core of the festival event is pure Americana, transporting the visitor to a time of simplicity that required toughness to survive.
The event is separated into sections including: traditional arts and crafts area, the entertainment area, the food area and the more modern arts and crafts area.
In the pioneer days, the settlers would gather into a type of market to sell or trade with eachother. To be transported back into the 1880’s, visit the traditional ares and crafts. which celebrates a group of artisans. Artisans are garbed in period costumes, and demonstrating the crafts of the era. Women in long dresses, and men in cotton shirts and leathers happily discuss their arts as they work. Students and home-schoolers take advantage of the opportunity to interview the artisans and to learn about times past. The artisans represent crafts including: willow basket making, tin-smithing, blacksmithing, hand-spinning, quilt- making and more. Sometimes a musician will spontaneously set up and play folk music in this section. Most of the artisan’s have a selection of high-quality, hand crafted items for sale.
There are an abundance of events and entertainments in the entertainment sections. One of the featured events is a Laura contest., featuring Laura look-a-likes in pinafores and pigtails. The contestants are tested on their knowledge of the life and times of Laura. An Old Tyme Fiddle Contest is scheduled for Saturday afternoon from 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm.
Food booths conveniently located near the entertainment section, feature a variety of tasty, nourishing food made on the grounds such as chicken and corn on the cob. There will be no reason to go away hungry!
There is another (separate from the traditional artisans) section of arts on crafts located along the sidewalk and near the entertainment area. The crafters offer a variety of wares and enhance the festival-like atmosphere of the gathering.
There will be a shuttle service to travel the short distance to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s birthplace. Located in a wooded area, is reproduction of the original cabin, which was distroyed by fire. Vistors are allowed to tour the faithfully reprodued, small cabin.
The family friendly festival offers wholesome entertainment for all who attend. There are restrooms on the comfortable, well-maintained grounds. Pepin, Wisconsin is located on Wisconsin Route 35 about 70 miles southeast of Minneapolis, St. Paul. Admission is free.
