Schedule of Activities Saturday & Sunday September 12th & 13th, 2020
All activities are held in Laura Ingalls Wilder Park unless otherwise noted. The 2020 schedule will not available until next year; download and print the 2019 schedule by clicking here.
The festival includes demonstrations of traditional crafts such as blacksmithing, woodworking, hand-spinning, horse-drawn wagon rides (ending at 4 PM Sunday). Wayside Cabin Activities will be Saturday and Sunday again this year (seven miles north of Pepin on County CC). Children's Pioneer Games & Activities (ending 3 PM Sunday) as well as a vendors and art & craft market, plus food sales will continue Saturday and Sunday. A bus is available (schedule is here) to transport visitors to the Little House Wayside where you can see a replica of the original cabin known as The Little House in the Big Woods (bus runs Saturday only - first run at 11:00 AM).
Saturday night concludes with traditional crafts demonstrations by candlelight, music and a bonfire. The festival's activities culminate on Sunday afternoon with special entertainment (on the Main Stage) after the Grand Parade, followed by our annual pie-eating contest.
Click here for a printable schedule and map of our 2019 event. The new 2020 schedule won't be available until spring
Click here for a list of 2019 demonstrators in our Traditional Crafts area.
Click here for a description of activities at the Wayside Cabin (7 miles north of Pepin on County Road CC).
Saturday Activities
9:00 AM 5K (Walk) and 5 & 10 K (Run) Races (register at Locust Street). Register on-line or click here for mail-in form.
9:00 - 10:30 AM Registration for Laura Contest and Little Sisters; click here for information. NEW THIS YEAR -- pre-register on-line: click here
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wayside Cabin Activities at the Little House Wayside (7 Miles North of Pepin on County CC). Hosted by Julie Miller (full description is here). Bus schedule is here.
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Little Plum Schoolhouse (7.6 miles North of Pepin on County N). Built in 1899, this schoolhouse would have looked familiar to Laura.
9:00 AM - ??? Art and Craft Market: Laura memorabilia, hand-made items, fresh produce, arts and crafts, and more; partial list is here.
10:00 - 10:35 AM Hoof on the Roof -- Music from the "Little House" books
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Children's Pioneer Activities (in the Park)
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Traditional Crafts Demonstrations (one block west of the Main Park). Organized by Tom and Catherine Latané (click here for a list of demonstrators).
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum (306 Third Street)
10:50 AM Little Sisters Presentation -- not a competition; younger girls (through age 7) get a chance to be on stage and sing for the crowd
11:00 AM Medallion Hunt (clues will be posted every 45 minutes at the Information Table)
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Laura Contest (on the Main Stage); click here for more information. Pre-register online
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Petting Zoo
12:20 - 1:00 PM Sarah Uthoff
1:00 - 1:50 PM Square Dancing with Robin Nelson (on the Main Stage)
2:00 - 2:55 PM Spelling Bee with Bruce Quinton (on the Main Stage) More info
3:00 - 6:00 PM Olde Tyme Fiddle Contest / Emery Kleven, MC; Bob Bovee, guitar (on the Main Stage) Register online
6:30 - 8:30 PM Traditional Craft Area Candlelight Demonstrations and Campfire Entertainment, including our Old-Time Music Jam (led by Bob Bovee)
Sunday Activities
7:00 - 11:00 AM Pancake Breakfast at the Pepin School Cafeteria (sponsored by the Pepin Ambulance and Fire Department).
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wayside Cabin Activities at the Little House Wayside (7 Miles North of Pepin on County CC). Hosted by Julie Miller -- full description is here (no bus on Sunday).
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Little Plum Schoolhouse (7.6 Miles North of Pepin on County N). Built in 1899, this schoolhouse would have looked familiar to Laura.
10:30 - 11:30 AM Community Worship Service (on the Main Stage) led by Rev. Karna Marks
10:00 AM to ?? Art and Craft Market: Laura memorabilia, hand-made items, fresh produce, arts and crafts and more; partial list is here.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum (306 Third Street)
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Children's Pioneer activities
11:00 AM - 4 :00 PM Traditional Crafts Demonstrations (one block west of the Main Park). Organized by Tom and Catherine Latané (click here for a list of 2019 demonstrators)
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Traditional (recorded) music on the Main Stage
1:00 PM Grand Parade; click here for entry form.
2:15 PM Tomahawk-Throw Contest (in the Traditional Craft Area)
2:15 - 4:00 PM Yata, Sinz and Orfield (NEW THIS YEAR - on the Main Stage)
3:?? PM - Pa Ingall's Beard Contest (while the band takes a break)
4:00 PM Pie-Eating Contest (on the Main Stage)
21st Annual Olde Tyme Fiddle Contest:
Saturday afternoon September 12th, 2020. Registration at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; Contest from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. Cash prizes for winners in five divisions: Ages 9 and under; Ages 10-15; Ages 16-29; ages 30 & up. Also this year the Trick, Fancy and Pa's Fiddle divisions will be featured. We hope you'll plan to attend and thrill us with your playing. We will be publicizing this throughout the area and expect an enthusiastic audience!
If you have any questions please call our music coordinator, Mary Pat Kleven, at 507-298-3016. *Please note this clarification of the contest rules: Judging will be scored on the basis of tune, intonation, timing & execution for each age category. Both the Trick and Fancy judging is based on humor, showmanship, originality & execution. There are carved wooden trophies for each of the three age categories. Rules are here: entry form is here.
Traditional Crafts Demonstrations: Hammers swing & woodchips fly as authentically-garbed artisans demonstrate their skills: blacksmithing, spinning, quilting, basketmaking, woodturning, woodcarving, food preparation & open hearth cooking as practiced in Laura’s day. Step back in time at candlelight craft demonstrations, & enjoy live acoustic music around the campfire on Saturday night. For a list of demonstrators, click here.
Children's Pioneer Games & Activities: Play was unplugged in Laura’s time! Shuck corn, play games, & make a corncob doll, button buzzer, paper hat or other fun-from-scratch toys in the Children’s Activity area.
Horse-drawn Wagon Rides*: Amble the streets of Pepin Village in a horse-drawn wagon like the kind Laura and her family took to town in the Little House in the Big Woods.
Spelling Bee: Have you got what it takes to win an old-fashioned Spelling Bee? 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th graders who would like to participate in the Spelling Bee should report to the main stage by 1:55 pm Saturday morning and be ready to spell their best! Hosted by Pepin Area Schools Superintendent Bruce Quinton.
No need to pre-register.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2019 - Little House Wayside Activities: From Laura Ingalls Wilder Park in Pepin, catch the shuttle bus (Saturday only) up the bluff to the Little House Wayside (bus schedule is here). The "Little House in the Big Woods" is lovingly decorated with handmade quilts and other artifacts that bring pioneer days to life. Visitors of all ages are invited to try their hand at sewing patchwork pieces. Prizes will be awarded for identifying quilt blocks based on Laura's stories. A description of Julie Miller (Cabin Activities Coordinator) is here; activities are described here.
There is a shuttle bus available* to the wayside (Saturday only).
1:00 PM SUNDAY - Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Grand Parade: The entry form is here.
Vendors: A variety of books, Laura memorabilia, hand-crafted items, jewelry, toys, T-shirts, arts and crafts, fresh produce and much more available both days; partial list is here.
Featured food (both days!): Enjoy an old-fashioned picnic with GREAT grilled chicken, delicious sweet corn and more. The festival also features an assortment of sweet and savory treats provided by a variety of vendors.
* A $2.00 charge for these items.
Saturday night concludes with traditional crafts demonstrations by candlelight, music and a bonfire. The festival's activities culminate on Sunday afternoon with special entertainment (on the Main Stage) after the Grand Parade, followed by our annual pie-eating contest.
Click here for a printable schedule and map of our 2019 event. The new 2020 schedule won't be available until spring
Click here for a list of 2019 demonstrators in our Traditional Crafts area.
Click here for a description of activities at the Wayside Cabin (7 miles north of Pepin on County Road CC).
Saturday Activities
9:00 AM 5K (Walk) and 5 & 10 K (Run) Races (register at Locust Street). Register on-line or click here for mail-in form.
9:00 - 10:30 AM Registration for Laura Contest and Little Sisters; click here for information. NEW THIS YEAR -- pre-register on-line: click here
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wayside Cabin Activities at the Little House Wayside (7 Miles North of Pepin on County CC). Hosted by Julie Miller (full description is here). Bus schedule is here.
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Little Plum Schoolhouse (7.6 miles North of Pepin on County N). Built in 1899, this schoolhouse would have looked familiar to Laura.
9:00 AM - ??? Art and Craft Market: Laura memorabilia, hand-made items, fresh produce, arts and crafts, and more; partial list is here.
10:00 - 10:35 AM Hoof on the Roof -- Music from the "Little House" books
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Children's Pioneer Activities (in the Park)
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Traditional Crafts Demonstrations (one block west of the Main Park). Organized by Tom and Catherine Latané (click here for a list of demonstrators).
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum (306 Third Street)
10:50 AM Little Sisters Presentation -- not a competition; younger girls (through age 7) get a chance to be on stage and sing for the crowd
11:00 AM Medallion Hunt (clues will be posted every 45 minutes at the Information Table)
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Laura Contest (on the Main Stage); click here for more information. Pre-register online
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Petting Zoo
12:20 - 1:00 PM Sarah Uthoff
1:00 - 1:50 PM Square Dancing with Robin Nelson (on the Main Stage)
2:00 - 2:55 PM Spelling Bee with Bruce Quinton (on the Main Stage) More info
3:00 - 6:00 PM Olde Tyme Fiddle Contest / Emery Kleven, MC; Bob Bovee, guitar (on the Main Stage) Register online
6:30 - 8:30 PM Traditional Craft Area Candlelight Demonstrations and Campfire Entertainment, including our Old-Time Music Jam (led by Bob Bovee)
Sunday Activities
7:00 - 11:00 AM Pancake Breakfast at the Pepin School Cafeteria (sponsored by the Pepin Ambulance and Fire Department).
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Wayside Cabin Activities at the Little House Wayside (7 Miles North of Pepin on County CC). Hosted by Julie Miller -- full description is here (no bus on Sunday).
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Little Plum Schoolhouse (7.6 Miles North of Pepin on County N). Built in 1899, this schoolhouse would have looked familiar to Laura.
10:30 - 11:30 AM Community Worship Service (on the Main Stage) led by Rev. Karna Marks
10:00 AM to ?? Art and Craft Market: Laura memorabilia, hand-made items, fresh produce, arts and crafts and more; partial list is here.
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum (306 Third Street)
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM Children's Pioneer activities
11:00 AM - 4 :00 PM Traditional Crafts Demonstrations (one block west of the Main Park). Organized by Tom and Catherine Latané (click here for a list of 2019 demonstrators)
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM Traditional (recorded) music on the Main Stage
1:00 PM Grand Parade; click here for entry form.
2:15 PM Tomahawk-Throw Contest (in the Traditional Craft Area)
2:15 - 4:00 PM Yata, Sinz and Orfield (NEW THIS YEAR - on the Main Stage)
3:?? PM - Pa Ingall's Beard Contest (while the band takes a break)
4:00 PM Pie-Eating Contest (on the Main Stage)
21st Annual Olde Tyme Fiddle Contest:
Saturday afternoon September 12th, 2020. Registration at 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm; Contest from 3:00 - 6:00 pm. Cash prizes for winners in five divisions: Ages 9 and under; Ages 10-15; Ages 16-29; ages 30 & up. Also this year the Trick, Fancy and Pa's Fiddle divisions will be featured. We hope you'll plan to attend and thrill us with your playing. We will be publicizing this throughout the area and expect an enthusiastic audience!
If you have any questions please call our music coordinator, Mary Pat Kleven, at 507-298-3016. *Please note this clarification of the contest rules: Judging will be scored on the basis of tune, intonation, timing & execution for each age category. Both the Trick and Fancy judging is based on humor, showmanship, originality & execution. There are carved wooden trophies for each of the three age categories. Rules are here: entry form is here.
Traditional Crafts Demonstrations: Hammers swing & woodchips fly as authentically-garbed artisans demonstrate their skills: blacksmithing, spinning, quilting, basketmaking, woodturning, woodcarving, food preparation & open hearth cooking as practiced in Laura’s day. Step back in time at candlelight craft demonstrations, & enjoy live acoustic music around the campfire on Saturday night. For a list of demonstrators, click here.
Children's Pioneer Games & Activities: Play was unplugged in Laura’s time! Shuck corn, play games, & make a corncob doll, button buzzer, paper hat or other fun-from-scratch toys in the Children’s Activity area.
Horse-drawn Wagon Rides*: Amble the streets of Pepin Village in a horse-drawn wagon like the kind Laura and her family took to town in the Little House in the Big Woods.
Spelling Bee: Have you got what it takes to win an old-fashioned Spelling Bee? 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th graders who would like to participate in the Spelling Bee should report to the main stage by 1:55 pm Saturday morning and be ready to spell their best! Hosted by Pepin Area Schools Superintendent Bruce Quinton.
No need to pre-register.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY 2019 - Little House Wayside Activities: From Laura Ingalls Wilder Park in Pepin, catch the shuttle bus (Saturday only) up the bluff to the Little House Wayside (bus schedule is here). The "Little House in the Big Woods" is lovingly decorated with handmade quilts and other artifacts that bring pioneer days to life. Visitors of all ages are invited to try their hand at sewing patchwork pieces. Prizes will be awarded for identifying quilt blocks based on Laura's stories. A description of Julie Miller (Cabin Activities Coordinator) is here; activities are described here.
There is a shuttle bus available* to the wayside (Saturday only).
1:00 PM SUNDAY - Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Grand Parade: The entry form is here.
Vendors: A variety of books, Laura memorabilia, hand-crafted items, jewelry, toys, T-shirts, arts and crafts, fresh produce and much more available both days; partial list is here.
Featured food (both days!): Enjoy an old-fashioned picnic with GREAT grilled chicken, delicious sweet corn and more. The festival also features an assortment of sweet and savory treats provided by a variety of vendors.
* A $2.00 charge for these items.