This was a weekend of Hollywood and history in Independence, Kansas. The home of the original "Little House on the Prairie" saw fans of the show and the books flocking to town to meet their favorite characters and celebrate 50 years since the show debuted.

Folks waited in long lines for a chance to meet their favorite characters from "Little House," the TV series, just up the road from the site of the one-room log cabin Laura Ingalls Wilder named her book. A replica of that original cabin sits on the site now. But for the fans gathered in Independence, the show was their main focus, at least for this weekend.

The fans gathered to meet many of the actors from the show, from small parts to major roles, like Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder, and Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Olson. Each fan had their favorites they couldn't wait to see.

"All of them," said Everly Hager, who traveled with her family from Ohio to attend.

"Nellie!" chorused Melissa DuBois and Karen Fernandez who road-tripped together from Florida.

"I like her personality. it reminds me of myself, sometimes," Melissa said as she and Karen laughed.

"Yes. it reminds me of her, sometimes," Karen said, pointing at her friend.

"She's more like Laura," Melissa responded.

Much like the trips the Ingalls family took from the Big Woods to the Banks of Plum Creek and the Shores of Silver Lake, these fans traveled a long way to reach this little town on the prairie.

"So we are on a 12-day road trip," Melissa said. "We went as far north as South Dakota and then we're on the way back, now, to Florida, stopping here."

Many of the guests showed up in their vintage prairie best for a little cosplay fun. Some, even got Grandma to sew them the perfect outfit.

"Because it's fun to dress up and I'm excited to meet people from 'Little House on the Prairie,'" said Everly.

Every fan in attendance could name not only a favorite character but also favorite moments from the show.

"The very first episode where they meet Mr. Edwards," said Everly.

With everyone from the Farmer Boy himself to horrible Nellie Olson on hand to greet the fans, there were plenty of nerves in evidence.

"I told my husband I had butterflies in my stomach because I was just so excited," said Karen.

Nerves or not, they walked away with autographs, pictures and many Happy Golden Years worth of memories.

If you're a fan of Little House but missed this weekend's event, you've still got a chance. The 50th Anniversary Cast Tour continues through the summer and into the fall with stops in Keystone, SD, Hartford, CT, Lancaster, PA and Branson, MO with more still to be scheduled.

For more information, click here.