W8USR - Special Events

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Celebration

Event Overview

On July 8, 2007, the Huron Amateur Radio Association (HARA) hosted an amateur radio special event with their callsign W0NOZ in De Smet, South Dakota. The event celebrated the annual Little House on the Prairie Pageant and the town's rich pioneer history. The planned operating frequencies were primarily on high-frequency (HF) bands like 7.265 MHz, 14.265 MHz, and 28.350 MHz. Operators who successfully contacted the station could receive a commemorative QSL card or a special event certificate by sending their QSO details and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the club.

The Pageant & Pioneer History

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant in De Smet, South Dakota, is a long-running outdoor theatrical tradition that transforms a piece of the historic prairie into a live-action stage. The event has been held annually since 1971, drawing thousands of global visitors to the town where five of the Little House books were set. In 1984, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Society purchased 30 acres of land to give the event a permanent home for the pageant. The site was explicitly chosen because it overlooks the "Big Slough" and the actual cottonwood trees planted by Charles "Pa" Ingalls.

For years, actors performed to a pre-recorded audio track. In 2004, the production shifted to a fully live performance utilizing wireless microphone technology. Guests come to watch Laura Ingalls Wilder’s stories come to life on the outdoor prairie stage while the sun sets on the prairie landscape Laura loved. The family-friendly show is led by volunteer effort. Local talent serves as the cast and tech crew, and local residents greet guests, serve concessions, and assist with parking. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun for this South Dakota tradition!

Station Log: Contact History

Date / Year	Special Event Call	My Callsign Used	Time (UTC)	Band	Mode
July 8, 2007	W0NOZ	W8USR	17:27 UTC	20 Meters	SSB