Other Re-enactment Has New General

[Diane Merkel]

The following is from the Los Angeles Times. The re-enactment is not the Real Bird one. I found it interesting that they have a new General, "actor Lonnie Custer, whom director Barbara Frickle hears is 'part of the Custer family.')"

More like part of A Custer family! What happened to Tony Austin?

And, of course, they spelled Libbie's name wrong.

Hardin, Mont.

June 22-25: Witness Custer's last stand as 245 reenactors and 80 horses bring the Battle of the Little Bighorn to life on its 130th anniversary. On June 22, before the battle, see George Armstrong Custer and his wife, Libby, enjoy a last dance at the 1876 Grand Ball, but be sure to come in period-appropriate attire. (This year marks the debut of a new general, actor Lonnie Custer, whom director Barbara Frickle hears is "part of the Custer family.")

The battle is scripted from notes by a Crow tribal historian and tells the story from the American Indian perspective. It is one of America's top 100 events, according to Destinations magazine.

No video cameras are allowed, but you can purchase a video of the reenactment. There are also parades, dancing lessons and museum exhibits.

Performances at 1:30 p.m. June 23-25, plus a 5 p.m. show June 24. $16, $7 for children, 5 and younger admitted free. Take the Hardin exit off Interstate 90 and follow the reenactment signs. [phone], www.custerslaststand.org . Grand Ball at Big Horn County Fairgrounds, off I-90, Exit 497. Period participants, $15. Observers, $5. [phone], www.grandball.org .

Source: tinyurl.com/p4wqf

[Melani]

Hardin was kind of sad, especially by comparison to Realbird. But the general public will pretty much accept anything--I kept getting mistaken for Calamity Jane, wearing U.S. Navy bellbottoms!