Cast members from "Little House on the Prairie" will reunite this weekend in Tombstone, a town known for its old West roots.

Melissa Gilbert, who played Laura Ingalls Wilder, is scheduled to reunite with Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder) and Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson) during the Tombstone Western Film Festival that runs Friday through July 4.

The 1970s television hit was almost a guilty pleasure for viewers, Butler told the East Valley Tribune. "People watched it, but they didn't want to talk about it," he said. "It was almost an embarrassed pleasure. People would ask, 'How can you watch "Little House on the Prairie"? It's so sweet.'"

The show, based on books by Wilder, showed the struggles of the Ingalls family and other pioneers in Walnut Grove. It ran nine seasons. The Tombstone festival will feature screenings of the cast members' favorite episodes and question-and-answer sessions.

--My favorite episode is when Laura pushes Nellie down the hill in her wheelchair. (She, of course, was faking her injuries). And my favorite character was always Mr. Olsen. He always reminded me of a lot of shop owners in the small town in southern Indiana where I grew up. The whole "pay me when you can," "take it now, we'll bill you later" mentality was prevalent there.

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Posted by Lawren at June 28, 2005 07:29 AM

You Said

I can't help but watch this show whenever I happen upon it when flipping channels.

Says: Kevvy the Unnamed Source at June 28, 2005 07:39 AM

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I can't watch it anymore although I did as a kid. Every episode ends with someone crying. Too much drama! I somehow don't believe our pioneer ancestors were so...sensitive!

Says: Nanc' at June 28, 2005 08:45 AM

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I've been to Tombstone, Arizona. A town known for it's old west roots? It's more accurate to say that the town is known for several touristy frozen yogurt shops and a fake Universal Studios-type "shoot-out" that occurs every hour on the fake street.

Says: Neil at June 28, 2005 11:10 AM

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