‘Little House on the Prairie’ Stars Are Celebrating the Show’s 50th Anniversary With a 3-Day Festival

Lauren Novak March 21, 11:41 am

Little House on the Prairie Matthew Laborteaux, Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (behind Grassle) Dean Butler, Lindsay Greenbush, Melissa Sue Anderson, Linwood Boomer, 1974-1983 — Everett Collection

This weekend is a big one for Little House on the Prairie fans. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the series, which debuted in 1974. Based on books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House on the Prairie followed the Ingalls family as they braved the harsh realities of the 1880s. Though the show aired so long ago, fans are still just as passionate about the series starring the late Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson, Rachel Lindsay Greenbush, Dean Butler, Alison Arngrim, and more.

Several of the stars are reuniting this weekend to talk about their experiences on the show at the Little House on the Prairie 50th Anniversary Cast Reunion & Festival in Simi Valley, California, the city where the series was filmed. It will be the largest gathering of cast members from the show since filming. In addition, set replicas have been created at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park to show what it looked like filming the show.

Little House on the Prairie clockwise from bottom left: Melissa Sue Anderson, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Lindsay / Sidney Greenbush (center), (Season 1, 1974), 1974-83

Carl Furuta/TV Guide/NBC/Everett Collection

The stars scheduled to attend and participate in panel discussions and autograph sessions are Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Rachel Lindsey Greenbush, Alison Arngrim, Dean Butler, Matthew and Patrick Labyorteaux, Ketty Lester, Linwood Boomer, Wendi Lou Lee, and more. Three of the interiors and lots of memorabilia will be on display at the event, along with live music. Fans can also learn how to work with leather and churn butter, truly taking a step back in time.

Little House on the Prairie on set, (1983), 1974-83

Richard Hewett/TV Guide/Everett Collection

Kathi Van Etten, president and CEO of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce shared about the festival, “There is only one place and one time that this historic event can take place. We wanted to do this for the fans, the cast members and for Simi Valley. This festival is not just a celebration of a television show, it’s a tribute to a legacy that has touched hearts for half a century.” Get your last-minute tickets here.