BURKE — An eclectic mix of people turned out Saturday for the first day of a two-day celebration to honor Almanzo Wilder’s 150th birthday.

The Burke native was made famous by his wife, author Laura Ingalls Wilder, who wrote about his boyhood remembrances in Northern New York in her book, “Farmer Boy.”

Almanzo Wilder was born at the family homestead on Stacy Road on Feb. 13, 1857, and died at age 92.

He married Laura Ingalls on Aug. 25, 1885.

Scholars, history buffs and fans of the “Little House on the Prairie” books and the television series overwhelmed event organizers who ran out of nearly everything Saturday except excited visitors.

Gone was the stack of the schedule of events handed out as people entered the grounds to the Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder Association bash at the Wilder Family homestead in Burke.

Bottled water sold out within the first hour in the 80-degree heat that was disguised somewhat by a refreshing breeze throughout the day.

And the variety of black-and-white photographs actor/producer Dean Butler brought to autograph were snapped up quickly despite their $10 price tag.

“We expected we might get some people, but we didn’t expect this kind of response and neither did Dean Butler,” said Wilder Association President Kathy Ellis.

He played Almanzo Wilder for five years on the “Little House” series.

“I know people were angry with me when I had to shut down the autographs for a while, but he just couldn’t write anymore,” Ellis said. “He had to stop. He just can’t believe how many people came out.”

Butler signed about 50 autographs in less than an hour, and chatted amiably with each person, asking for the name they wanted inscribed and listening patiently while each told him a story, asked him a question or posed for a candid photo.

Alice Johnson clutched a well-worn copy of “Farmer Boy” as she waited in line, hoping for an autograph.

“I’ve owned this book a long time. I have them all,” she said. “I love the stories, and I watch the series all the time or at least have it on because I know every one by heart.”

She and her son, Darrell, and his friend, Paul, made the trip to the Wilder Homestead from Plattsburgh.