This weekend, several of us are gathering in De Smet, S.D., to enjoy Laura’s little town and to hammer out some details for next summer’s Laura Palooza 2010, to be held in Mankato, Minn., July 15-17. One thing we all want to know is what YOU want in a conference event of this site.
Some things we have already on the docket:
* Panels and papers from scholars who research the legacies of Laura and her daughter, Rose. A call for papers will go out by the end of the month.
* Authors of books associated with Laura’s legacies, including myself, Pamela Smith Hill, John Miller, and others.
* A Saturday closing field trip to Walnut Grove, Minn., just 1 1/2 hours from Mankato on the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Highway, which should include the annual pageant.
Some things we’re working on:
* A Friday night entertainment! We’re in talks with a name star from the original television series. Cross your fingers.
* A screening of Dean Butler’s documentary about Almanzo Wilder.
* A craft circle event.
* Book discussion roundtables.
* Educators’ workshops.
It seems like a lot to cram into three days, so we’d love your input on what you’d like to see.
I’m also working with my campus, Minnesota State University, Mankato, to arrange for inexpensive accommodations in our new, air-conditioned, Julia A. Sears Residence Hall, steps from the Centennial Student Union, which is where most of our activity will take place. These would be open on a first-come, first-served basis. There are also a number of reasonably priced hotels and motels in the area; Mankato is a college town, after all.
Post your comments below!