Celebrating 50 Years of Wilder Days in Mansfield

Each year, the citizens of Mansfield and the surrounding areas come together to celebrate America’s favorite prairie girl, Laura Ingalls Wilder, and her cherished Little House books. Currently in its 50th year, this free event will take place on September 26-27, 2025, and promises fun for all ages, including costume contests for the kids and a fiddle contest at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum.

Festival Hours

• Friday – 12pm-7pm
• Saturday – 9am-5pm

This Year’s Events Include:

• Little Laura Contest
• Farmer Boy Contest
• Wilder Days Parade
• The 9th Annual Fiddle Contest
• Craft Booths, Entertainment, and Food
• Plus the Wilder Day Quilt Show!

VIP Guests from the Show!

• Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder)
• Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle)
• Wendi Lou Lee (Baby Grace)
• Appearances at the annual Wilder Dinner on Friday from 6pm-9pm (tickets for the dinner start at $92.55 and are available for purchase at their event website.)
• Autograph sessions Saturday from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm (museum admission required for this event)
• VIPs will act as Parade Marshalls for the Wilder Day Parade

A Parade to Celebrate History:

• Horses riders
• Vintage Cars
• Truck Trailers
• Gator Brand Vehicles
• Side by Sides
• VIP Guest Appearances

Highlighted Amenities:

• Parking will be available at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum, the First Baptist Church, and the Methodist Church
• Shuttles and vans will run to ferry people from the lots to the event site

Helpful Tips!

It may be a good idea to bring a stroller for the comfort and safety of younger children and lawn chairs for the parade if you’re unable to stand for long periods of time. Leashed pets are welcome at the festival but will not be allowed in the museum or the historic house with the exception of service animals. The Little Laura and Farmer Boy contests are a festival favorite, and registration opens on Saturday at 10:30am at the Gazebo on Mansfield Town Square. For this event, entry is $10 each for the first and second child, and $5 each for the third child and on. Checks are accepted, but please make them out to Mansfield Chamber of Commerce. Additional information and sign-up forms can be found on the event website. Some vendors may be cash only, so plan accordingly. While the Wilder Days Festival is free, but museum admission is sold separately. Nearby streets include Commercial St.