Romance Readers Rendezvous discussion

I'm back hoping for more input as I continue the nearly endless process of editing my Western historical romance.

This time, my dilemma involves the Great Grasshopper Plague of 1874-1875 (actually extending beyond that date, but often so titled). I only found out about this recently. I'm moving my fictional small town north to reduce the impact the "hoppers" would have had, but I'm unsure as to how much to mention it. I would rather not have the invasion overwhelm my plot. I also suspect that not that many readers know about the "plague," though I would probably mention it in my Author's Note at the end.

My question: does it bother you, and if so, how much, if you know about an event the characters in a book would have on their minds to some extent, and that event isn't mentioned?

Thanks for any comments!

I wouldn't mind if there was not too much detail. I would mention it but like you say, don't let it take over your plot.

I prefer it to be mentioned but then I'm a huge history buff. If it was big enough to have a name, you should incorporate it into the book.

I prefer it to be mentioned but then I'm a huge history buff. If it was big enough to have a name, you should incorporate it into the book.

I did end up mentioning it at least twice. Joshua, my male love interest, frets at one point about the possibility that the grasshoppers could hit Cowbird Creek and lead to Clara's family giving up and heading back east. And I also referred to Cowbird Creek residents donating toward the relief of those in the hard-hit portions of the state.