Custer's Last Stand

[Pitspitr]

I received the following e-mail and thought it might be of intrest to the membership of the GAF.



  My name is Rod Beattie  and I am on the Custer's Last Stand Reenactment Committee of Hardin Montana.This is my first year on the Comm. but my 14th year doing the Hardin Reenactment. The event is held annually on the weekend closest to the anniversary of the Battle. A lot of information can be gleaned by going to the website www.custerslaststand.org  . Basically our event consists of four "performances" over three days. There is a rehearsal on Thursday prior to the first show on Friday,with 2 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday. Paid participants are required to attend all four performances to recieve a small stipend, but volunteers are not required to do so. ALL participants, provided they are signed in as a volunteer or paid, are covered by Workers Compensation by the State.We provide blank ammunition for the shows. Water and forage are provided for the horses. Water is provided on site for the Reenactors. Camping on site is free, and those who desire can set up as Living History camps or variations. Modern camping is also allowed.

  This event tends to have a family atmosphere as many of our friends have been attending here for years or decades. It is not strictly regimented and not overrun with ego. The action in the show is scripted but Not choreographed and tends to be quite adlib.

  There has been a decline in participation for the last couple years caused primarily by the poor economy. The event needs to make some adjustments to get back in form, beginning with bringing in more Reenactors, both Cav and Native. As many Volunteers as possible would be a great boon. We need more vendors and possibly Sutlers. An infusion of new blood at this point would be welcome

  A phone converstion may be a better means to answer your questions, a long period of very long days at my paying job has made my writing skills suffer. If you would like more general or specific information feel free to call me at 406-351-1690, or e-mail with any questions.

Thank you for showing and interest and your time.



Rod Beattie

[Short Knife Johnson]

This looks like a fantastic event.  This may have to be put it on my list of things to do one day soon.