Little House on the PrairieCast Slams 50th Anniversary Organizer for Refusing to Announce Event Cancellations

Mar. 15, 2025

‘Little House on the Prairie’s’ Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle and Alison Arngrim.Photo:Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Michael Bezjian/WireImage, Frazer Harrison/Getty

Melissa Gilbert, Karen Grassle, Alison Arngrim

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty, Michael Bezjian/WireImage, Frazer Harrison/Getty

The cast ofLittle House on the Prairieis speaking out and slamming organizers of the show’s 50th anniversary events.

“Our letter to Mr. Bishop stated the following: ‘This letter informs you that, effective immediately, the undersigned members of the original cast of Little House on the Prairie will no longer support, promote, or appear at any Gravel Road Markets, LLC events,'” the release stated.

However, the cast claims Bishop did not send “public cancellations” of the events. Fans apparently arrived in Keystone, SD on Sept. 27-29 and a “similar mischaracterization” affected fans in Lyles, TN on Sept. 13-15.

“Now, Jack Bishop is seemingly refusing to announce the cancellation of his Little House events in Branson, MO (November 15-17) and Corsicana, TX (December 6-8),” the statement said, adding that Bishop “appears to be taking advantage of Little House fans.”

Melissa Gilbert signing autographs at the ‘Little House on the Prairie’ 50th anniversary reunion event in Simi Valley, California in March 2024.JP Mangalindan

Melissa Gilbert signing autographs

JP Mangalindan

Bishop did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Gilberttells PEOPLE that Gravel Road Markets LLC allegedly advertised the actress as a co-producer of these events, which was not the case.

“It is appalling, because these are not events that I would sanction or produce,” she says. “I’m not a Comic Con producer. None of us [are], right? This is not our bailiwick.”

‘Little House on the Prairie’s’ Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Sue Anderson and Lindsay or Sidney Greenbush.Fotos International/Getty Images

Melissa Gilbert, Michael Landon (1936 - 1991), Karen Grassle, who holds an unidentified baby, Melissa Sue Anderson, and Lindsay or Sidney Greenbush Little House on the Prairie.

Fotos International/Getty Images

Gravel Roads Market LLC did not organize theLittle House on the Prairie50thAnniversary Cast Reunion and Festival in March 2024in Simi Valley, California, which brought together several former cast members — including Gilbert, Arngrim, Grassle and Butler — and hosted thousands of fans over three days.

At the Simi Valley event, which offered set recreations and panels where the cast reminisced about their time on the show, festival-goers waited hours for autographs and photos with cast members, with some fans waiting up to six hoursfor time with Arngrim.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“After 50 years and counting, theLittle House on the Prairiefamily of cast and crew treasures and respects the worldwide fan community that has made our series an enduring classic,” the statement from the cast concluded. “In 2025 we are dedicated to bringing you ‘Little House Love,’ bigger and better than ever.”

source: people.com