Billings Area News Group • 1
Area 2018 Billings News Group
Crow Fair: Page 10
Photos courtesy of Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
Custer Battlefield Museum • Tomb of the Unknown I-90 Exit 514 • BBQ • Trading Post • I-90 Exit 514
2 • 2018 Experience Montana
Billings Area News Group • 3
4 • 2018 Experience Montana
Welcome to Canyon Creek Nursery in Billings! We are starting our third nursery season with an abundance of perennials, shrubs and trees for every landscape project. Our knowledgeable staff is here to work with you so bring your photos, measurements, an idea of how much direct sun per day your location will have and how you plan to water. That will help us help you choose the right plant for the right spot in your yard. We offer a variety of plant sizes for do-it-your-self folks and sizes for instant gratification folks. We know that Billings and the surrounding areas have a variety of micro climates and we carry plants that can meet the challenges of growing in Montana. And for those of you who like to try something new you will find it here. Speaking of new plants, we just got a shipment of tomatoes, peppers and other veggies. Just a reminder, the last usual frost date in the Billings area is the third week in May. I know that is much later for many of you farther out. We also have cool season veggies and pansies ready to plant. We will not be doing petunias or other annual flowers and no hanging baskets. In the past couple of seasons folks have been looking for small decorative accent trees like hydrangea or lilac. This year we were able to plant a great selection including viburnum,
ninebark, hydrangea, lilac and more. We also have weeping Lousia crab, Spring Wonder flowering cherry, horsechestnut, redbud, weeping pussy willow, North Wind maple (acer x psuedosieolidanum) and many more for yards with a bit of microclimate. We also have a great selection of fruit trees and plants, raspberry, gooseberry, honeyberry, serviceberry, chokeberry, chokecherry, bush cherry, rhubarb, apple, plum, pie cherry, apricot, pear and peach to name a few. We could be seeing the perfect storm of conditions for fire blight any moment this spring. Please check the Pat’s Corner tab on the Canyon Creek Nursery website for my detailed discussion, “Yes, It Is Fire Blight Season.” (canyoncreeknursery. net) If you see an outbreak of fire blight, it is best to wait until the infected stems are not oozing to prune. Any infected clippings should be bagged for the trash and not added to compost or yard waste bins. Don’t forget to disinfect your tools with each cut. If you are looking for decorative rock boulders, shredded bark mulch, compost, amended soil, gravel and sand we have them to buy in bulk, and compost and soil amendments by the bag to support all your planting projects.
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Billings Area News Group • 5
All aboard Montana's Charlie Russell Chew Choo! Join us for a spectacular evening as we travel through the mountains and prairies of central Montana. Experience the beauty of the rolling hills, vast ranchlands and breathtaking sunsets of Big Sky Country. Wildlife abounds on this scenic 56 mile round trip journey, with a plentiful supply of antelope, eagles, deer, hawks and coyotes. Be sure to watch out for the masked bandits - rumor has it hold-ups can occur when you least expect them!! Crossing two historic trestles and passing through a half mile long tunnel, the three and one-half hour trip in climate-controlled, non-smoking coaches includes a full course prime rib dinner and dessert, no-host cash bar and music by local area entertainers. VIP Packages include priority boarding, preferred seating, a complimentary drink with dinner, a T-shirt and cinch sack. Your journey begins northwest of Lewistown and follows the route of the old Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific railroad to Denton, MT and back again. The train travels on a spur track that was built in 1912-1913 connecting Lewistown and Great Falls.
Train rides are available on scheduled weekends and may also be chartered for special events. Regular or VIP rates are available for both children and adults. Passengers should allow approximately 20 minutes of travel time to reach the loading station. For tickets and more information, please contact the Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce at (406) 535-5436 or (866) 912-3980. A 14-day cancellation, no show, no refund policy does apply. If you prefer, we can be reached by email at lewchamb@midrivers.com. We look forward to hearing from you!
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6 • 2018 Experience Montana
Apples to Apples MSU Extension team works against clock to bring Montana heritage apples to modern gardens By Evelyn Boswell Beyond the log home of Chief Plenty Coups, past the cottonwood that overlooks the sacred spring are five tough apple trees. Gnarled and bowed but still producing enough apples to make a batch of pies, they are the sole survivors of an orchard that Chief Plenty Coups planted near Pryor in 1903. Some say the legendary Crow planted several hundred fruit trees because he was impressed by the orchards he saw on his many trips to Washington, D.C. Others say the U.S. government ordered him to plant the trees and he obeyed. Whatever the reason, Chief Plenty Coups planted an apple orchard that fed his family and the customers who frequented his store. But most of the trees eventually died, falling victim to drought, blight or insects. Some may have succumbed to black bears, deer antlers rubbing against bark or the terrific winds that blow through the area. The hardy handful that have overcome those challenges stand together in Chief Plenty Coups State Park, 35 miles south of Billings and a mile west of Pryor. "I love telling people about the apples and that they are eating something the chief planted 100 years ago," said Aaron Kind, manager of Chief Plenty Coups State Park and an MSU alum in anthropology. Now a Montana State University team is doing what it can to identify and preserve those trees and others like them while creating opportunities for Montana entrepreneurs.
The fact that the trees are alive and producing apples after 100 years is important for a variety of reasons, say Toby Day and Brent Sarchet, founders of the Montana Heritage Orchard Program and both with MSU Extension. Day is the Extension horticulture specialist. Sarchet is the Extension agent for Lewis and Clark County. The duo says that the Plenty Coups trees are historically and culturally significant because of their age and ties to the visionary Indian chief. They also are scientifically valuable because they may offer insights about survival and resistance that could improve the quality of modern apple trees. The fact that the heritage trees have lived for more than a century indicates that they may harbor special qualities, such as resistance to disease, drought and pests that could be introduced into modern apple trees to make them more resilient. The trees are economically significant because pieces of the original trees have already been grafted onto new rootstock. When the new trees become available to the public, they will create opportunities for Montana nurseries interested in marketing trees and apples descended from Plenty Coups' orchard. Such are the goals of the Montana Heritage Orchard Program that Day and Sarchet started about five years ago after conversations with master grafter Roger Joy of Corvallis. A three-year $128,000 Specialty Crop Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture kicked off the plan to develop a selfsupporting program where the profits and orchard DNA will be
shared with Montanans who own heritage orchards. Day said while interest in heritage orchards has always been there, the recent introduction of DNA analysis to identify heritage apple varieties has added an important dimension.
The orchards keep coming When they started the project, Day and Sarchet originally thought they might find 20 to 30 apple orchards that fit their definition of a heritage orchard. The orchards would contain at least six living trees more than 50 years old. They later changed that to 100 years and noted that one of the heritage orchards, the Wild Horse Island Orchard, has lost one tree since its declaration as a heritage orchard. But the number of qualifying orchards has already surpassed 70, and reports of more keep coming. Most of the orchards documented so far were planted in the early 1900s and located in western Montana, but Day and Sarchet have discovered orchards from Eureka in northwest Montana to Willard in the southeast. Originating in East Coast nurseries, some of the trees were planted by railroad and barge companies competing for settlers. Many trees were planted by homesteaders. Some may have been planted accidentally by someone throwing mash over a fence or a wandering horse digesting apples. Left: Crab apples hang from a tree in Fromberg, Montana. This varietal was historically used for jam. Right: Lewis and Clark county Extension agent Brent Sarchet, left, co-founder of the founders of the Montana Heritage Orchard Program, hands a sample to a Master Gardener student during a trip to a heritage apple orchard on Wild Horse Island. The budwood samples are taken for grafting to propagate from these trees. Bellow: Light shines through a Translucent Crabapple in Fromberg. Some apples from this orchard are now made into cider by Red Lodge Ale in Red Lodge.
Billings Area News Group • 7
Each of the orchards has an interesting backstory, with many of those posted on the Montana Heritage Orchard Program website at mtorchards.org. Day said more of the orchards have the same kind of development potential as Chief Plenty Coups' orchard.
Apples on an island Another storied orchard is located on Wild Horse Island on Flathead Lake. The island got its name from Salish-Kootenai Indians pasturing their horses there to keep them from being stolen. At 2,000 acres, it's the largest island on the largest freshwater lake west of Minnesota. The evening before MSU Extension agents and Master Gardeners arrive on the picturesque island to learn more about the Montana Heritage Orchard Program, Day and Sarchet prepare by driving a boat from Lakeside to Wild Horse Island State Park. After landing at Skeeko Bay, Day and Sarchet head up a trail that takes them past old foundations and antique haying equipment. They stop long enough to let a string of bighorn
8 • 2018 Experience Montana
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sheep cross in front of them. After kicking up a mile of dust, they reach 10 apple trees planted around 1913 by homesteader William A. Powers. Each tree is protected by a triangle of wooden rails that Day and Sarchet, Master Gardener volunteers, orchard owners and the Montana Conservation Corps erected last year to protect the bark from the horses that roam Wild Horse Island. They haven't decided yet how to deal with the sapsuckers that stop by the island twice a year to drill holes in the bark looking for insects and sap. One tree has startling green leaves and branches that show at least 12 inches of new growth. Typical of many heritage apple trees, the branches rise from a partially rotted trunk rooted in pulverized soil. "This is a very cool site -- just the fact that it's here," Day said. "None of us in our wildest dreams would have believed that there was an orchard on Wild Horse Island." Sarchet said they learned about the orchard from the Montana Preservation Alliance, which saves and protects historic places, traditional landscapes and cultural heritage. The Extension agent agreed that this orchard, like the one in Chief Plenty Coups State Park, has an interesting story behind it. It has historic and scientific significance and commercial possibilities. Explaining the appeal, Day said, "This was a tree that was born in 1913 and lived on Wild Horse Island. I think people would buy it (if propagated)." The fact that the Wild Horse Island apple trees grow in such dry conditions suggests that apple trees may not always need as much water as people think, Day added. The trees might offer lessons about drought resistance, as well as pest resistance and microclimates. They seem to be resistant to fire blight, a contagious disease that can damage an entire orchard in one season. "You don't find fire blight in these trees," Day said. "It might be that it's isolated on this island, but the lack of fire blight is fairly common in these old orchards."
Apple tree mysteries Chum Howe, owner of a heritage orchard at Springhill Community near Bozeman, said his trees have served as a natural cathedral for some of the 1,800 weddings he and his wife Sally have hosted in the past 34 years. With 26 trees remaining, Howe said they were planted around 1870 by a homesteader who probably wanted to sell fresh fruit in Bozeman. "There was no way on Earth you could consume that many apples or apple cider on your own," Howe said. Strolling across his yard, Howe talked about the bears that have invaded his orchard and have gotten tipsy by eating too many apples. Stopping at one tree, Howe demonstrated why visitors might be surprised that his trees are still producing apples. "This is just sawdust inside," he said as he pulled out a handful of dust from the tree. Day said rotten trunks and hollow branches are common for heritage apple trees. Because of that, he can't always tell the age of a tree by counting tree rings. In those cases, he looks for clues in historical records and oral accounts. John Ross of Fromberg, for example, one of the biggest champions of the Montana Heritage Orchard Program, said his
dad planted about 50 apple trees in 1951. Thirty of them are still living and producing McIntosh and Wealthy apples. The Fergus County Argus reported on Oct. 9, 1890 that James Philips had planted 400 apple trees at the mouth of Cave Gulch near Canyon Ferry. More than half of them were producing fruit that year, some of those varieties being Wealthy, Duchess, Tetolsky, Red Astragan, Ben Davis, Benoni and Rubicon. Day said he can sometimes guess the age of an orchard by looking at the date someone filed homesteading papers. Since it takes a few years for new apple trees to start producing, he figures the settlers would have wanted to plant them as soon as possible. Age isn't the only mystery when it comes to heritage apple orchards. Sometimes the owners don't know what kind of apple they are growing. Howe, for one, said he knows that one of his trees produces a Montana Banana. It's a yellow apple that's good for about three days, then turns mushy. But he doesn't know what the rest of his trees are doing. Every other year, which is how often his trees bear fruit, he picks large sweet apples, small tart apples, crisp apples and soft apples. Then he hauls them to Rocky Creek Farm to be turned into cider. Day says the Plenty Coups orchard produces Duchess apples. Elsewhere in the state, he has seen Wealthy, Alexander, Haralson, Wolf River and McIntosh. But even a horticulture expert can be stumped. When he is, Day turns to genetic testing or takes a closer look at the harvested apples. In the fall, Day compares harvested apples to known apples to see if they match. If he can't identify an apple, he figures he might be looking at an old variety that isn't sold anymore. The discovery might lead to a reintroduction of the apple or an investigation into the long-lived tree that bore it. In the spring, Day takes budwood from heritage trees and gives it to MSU researcher Norm Weeden for genetic testing. Budwood is the newest growth of a stem or branch with vegetative buds that are used for grafting. "He brings in cuttings that haven't leafed out yet," said Weeden, a professor emeritus in MSU’s Department of Plant Sciences and Plant Pathology in the College of Agriculture. "We put them in the lab and allow them to start leafing out, then take the young leaves and extract DNA from them." Once he has crushed the leaf and extracted the protein, he uses a technique called polymerase chain reaction, or PCR, to
Billings Area News Group • 9
look at five different regions of the genome. He then compares those regions to the same regions in a known apple. If they match, he has identified the heritage apple. If they don't, he might have found a unique variety, one that disappeared from modern nurseries or maybe a mutation within a variety. Apple identification can be challenging, especially when the DNA comes from a tree that's 100 years old, Weeden said. "Apples are like people," Weeden said. "They are highly variable, even in the genome."
Plenty Coups pies Bernadette Smith has worked at Chief Plenty Coups State Park for 19 years, first as a volunteer and now as an administrative clerk. She doesn't claim to be related to Chief Plenty Coups, but she, like Plenty Coups, is a Mountain Crow raised near the Pryor Mountains. On a recent walk to the chief's orchard, Smith stopped at the sacred spring at the base of a large cottonwood. Earlier visitors left coins, a can of Skoal and a pocket New Testament as gifts. For her offering, Smith scooped up a handful of water, then tossed drops to the four directions of the wind and the remainder over her left shoulder. Finally reaching the orchard, Smith said the trees didn't produce apples this year, but they grew enough last year that she and a crust expert from Alabama made five apple pies. Slices went for an "ungodly price" at a Friends of Chief Plenty Coups Association fundraiser last year. In view of that, Smith said the idea for developing and selling Chief Plenty Coups trees could be a success. "I think there would be massive interest because people from all over the world come here," Smith said. That's good news for Day and Sarchet who are already developing a line of Plenty Coups trees. In 2016, Day gave new shoots from the original trees to the owner of Canyonview Nursery in Corvallis. Joy, the master grafter, then grafted the shoots onto new rootstock. He is growing those trees in his nursery until they are big enough to be sold. One hundred trees that got their start in Chief Plenty Coups' orchard will be available in the spring of 2019 to Montana nurseries that sell bare-root trees, Day said. Three hundred trees with ties to the Ray Ranch south of Stevensville will be available in the spring of 2020. That orchard was planted around 1887.
MSU Extension horticulture specialist Toby Day inspects an apple orchard at Chief Plenty Coups State Park near Pryor. One of the most well-known heritage orchards in the state, the orchard still produces apples that are baked into pies fetching top dollar in local fundraisers.
10 • 2018 Experience Montana
100 Annual Crow Fair th
Parade at Crow Fair, Crow Agency by Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
Celebration Powwow & Rodeo
The Crow Reservation, covering about 2,500,000 acres in Big Horn County, encompasses Lodge Grass, St. Xavier, Crow Agency, Pryor and Fort Smith.Crow Agency has a hospital designed with unique Indian architecture. The Crow tribe has its own government. Rosebud Battle was a foreshadowing to the Battle of the Little Bighorn. The Battle of the Rosebud symbolizes the Indians’ first stiff resistance in the Sioux War of 1876. Its outcome had an impact on Lt. Col. George A. Custer’s devastating defeat on the Little Bighorn only a week later. The June 17, 1876, battle between the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians and General George Crook’s cavalry and infantry was one of the largest Indian battles ever waged in the United States. It set the stage for the Indian victory eight days later when Lt. Col. George A. Custer and his immediate command were wiped out on the Little Bighorn. A self-guided tour with interpretive signs is managed by Montana State Parks. (25 miles east of Crow Agency on U.S. 212, then 20 miles south on Secondary 314, then 1.5 miles west on county road) In June 2010, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark. There is no charge for entrance. Camping is not allowed.
Crow Fair Celebration The 100th Annual Crow Fair Celebration Powwow & Rodeo will be at Crow Agency on August 15-20, 2018 at Crow Agency, Montana, includes parades, a four-day powwow, a rodeo and horse races. The Crow Fair Celebration is the largest Native American
event in Montana, and one of the biggest powwows in the country. Held each year in Crow Agency, Montana by The Apsáalooke people of the Crow Indian Reservation just South of Hardin, Montana. Also known as the “Tipi Capital of the world”, Crow Fair begins on the third Thursday in August and attracts more than 50,000 spectators and participants from the around the world.
Crow Fair Morning Parade Besides the pow-wow, there are many other attractions. Each year the fair holds a parade, which winds its way through the campsites. A large number of women on horseback using old-style saddles (many family heirlooms) of bone and rawhide, ride in the parade. The parade begins each morning of the Fair at ten o’clock. The Color Guard leads the parade with retired veterans and active members of the armed services. Following the Color Guard are the President, Vice-President, and First Vice-President of the Crow Fair. The President carries the American Flag. In the past, the royalty of the Crow Nation would follow the Presidents; however, in modern parades the Crow Tribal Officials replace Crow royalty. The parade includes contests for best traditional dress in more than half a dozen categories. Riders on horseback were followed by elaborately decorated cars, trucks and trailers. Some of the vehicles are decorated in memorial to tribal elders who have passed during the prior year. Others carry multiple generations from elders to newborns. Princesses, ranging in age from preschool to 18, ride along the route, on horseback or by vehicle, wearing traditional, elaborate dress with perfect, modest poise.
Billings Area News Group • 11
Powwow at Crow Fair, Crow Agency by Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
Crow Fair Pow Wow
The Crow Fair Pow Wow is much like pow wows throughout the west, except for more emphasis on traditional dance styles. You can pick out [the Crow tribe’s style] from hundreds of dancers because the dress styles are the same as at the turn of the last century. The only additions are material things to decorate their regalia. The pow wow grand entry begins at 1 p.m. sharp. It is led by the veteran honor guard, followed by all the dancers who will participate in the contests that have been held throughout the week. The announcer introduces competing drum groups that surround the arbor, each taking a turn keeping the beat. In addition to the Crow people, members of other tribes come to dance and sing and sell their goods on the midway that surrounds the arbor. Dance contests, with substantial prize money, are held throughout the week with participants ranging in age from preschool to elders.
Crow Fair Rodeo
The Crow Fair Rodeo is sponsored annually by the Crow Nation. The rodeo is a daily feature at the Crow Fair, offering a full day’s entertainment of youth events, professional Indian cowboys and cowgirls, and horse racing. Rodeos occur throughout the United States, through the various rodeo associations like the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The Northern Plains Indian Rodeo Association, organized under the Indian National Finals Rodeo, is the current association that sanctions the rodeo event. The Rodeo is held at the Edison Real Bird Memorial Complex, in Crow Agency, Montana. The rodeo arena, race track, stables, and campgrounds are all part of this complex. Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Crow Fair Celebration Powwow & Rodeo at Crow Agency in August. Crow Fair parade at Crow Fair, Crow Agency by Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
12 • 2018 Experience Montana
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COONEY STATE PARK Park size: 309 acres. Elevation: 4,252 feet.
Head to Cooney State Park’s reservoir 40 minutes south of Billings to boat, play in the water, camp, and fish. This is the most popular recreation area serving south central Montana, and it’s always a busy place in the summer! The park features good walleye and rainbow trout fishing, abundant boating opportunities, and five campgrounds with 82 campsites and three group use areas available daily around the lake. Nineteen campsites with electricity are available. New for summer 2018: All campsites in Marshall Cove Campground will be first come, first served; all sites in the other campgrounds will be reservable. The park offers three boat ramps with docks and a fish cleaning station at Red Lodge Arm. Paddleboards and snowshoes are available for rent, and ice and firewood is available for sale in the summer. At the Marshall Cove Campground there are no pets allowed. Docks: Removed for the winter. Launching is still possible until freeze-up, but must be accomplished without the floating dock. LOCATION 86 Lake Shore Road, Roberts, MT 59070 Latitude/Longitude: (45.44200 / -109.20500) Activities Available Beach Bicycling Bird Watching Boating Camping Canoeing Fishing Group Camping Hiking Horseshoes Ice Fishing Ice Skating Kayaking Lake Fishing Motor Boating Photography Picnicking Mountain Biking Running RV Camping Sailing Sightseeing Snowshoeing Swimming Water Skiing Wildlife Viewing Wind Surfing Cross-Country Skiing Sand Volleyball Court Services and Amenities Available ADA Accessible Boat Launch Campsite Camp Host Dock Electricity Parking Pets Allowed Grills/Fire Rings Picnic Tables Playground Public Restroom Shower Toilets Trash Removal Water Established Fire Pits
Billings Area News Group • 13
Red Lodge Events First Friday Artwalk Head downtown for First Friday Art Walk 5-7 p.m. ish! This fabulous event is picking up steam and spreading throughout downtown businesses and galleries as a festive, fun, wonderful way to engage the community with the amazing artists that display their work. Some of the businesses participating this evening are: Honey’s Cafe Heist Studio and Gallery Red Lodge Clay Center Founders Day at the Museum June 2 Celebrating the History of Red Lodge, admission to the Museum will be free Red Lodge Music Festival June 2-10 The oldest and most successful music festival in Montana attracts over 200 students annually from Montana and other states, with talented faculty from universities, colleges, and symphony orchestras from across the nation. All concerts are held at the Red Lodge Civic Center. Red Lodge Songwriter Festival June 21-23 Join us to celebrate summer and listen to some of the country’s best songwriters in Red Lodge, Montana for the 3nd Annual Red Lodge Songwriter Festival. Wildlife Jamboree at the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary July 1 Here's the date we all wait for every year! Our Annual Wildlife Jamboree is
always a great day for families. Admission is free, animal encounters are free, and fun is free! There will be a silent auction, games and food (for a nominal price), and other activities. Donations are always welcome but this day is ours to give back to our community and our visitors. Wildlife Jamboree Red Lodge 4th of July Parade July 2-4 As always, the parades will begin promptly at noon all three days. For more information you can go to www.redlodgerodeo.com or Questions may be directed to Glory Mahan, Parade Director, (406) 446-1232 or gloryb@vcn.com Home of Champions Rodeo July 2-4 Join us for the 89th Home of Champions Rodeo featuring some of professional rodeo’s top cowboys and cowgirls. 89 Years of Ropin’ and Ridin’. Tickets available at www. redlodgerodeo.com
45th Annual Art in the Beartooths July 14 At the Carbon County Depot Gallery. This is our annual fundraiser and proceeds go to continue providing you, our community, and our many visitors the very best in arts programing throughout the year. 24rd Annual Beartooth Rally July 19-22 Plan on the 23rd Annual Beartooth Motorcycle Rally being better than ever! As always, this weekend promises lots of rides, food and fun and in the evening you can dance under the stars!! The whole town opens its arms for this annual event. Hope to see you there! Cruisen Red Lodge Car and Bike Show July 27-29 Red Lodge's premiere summer car show! Ogle over your favorite classic cars as you share your favorite "auto" biography stories!
15th Annual Red Lodge Fun Run for Charities September 1 10K Run, 5K Run/Walk, 2-Mile Fun Walk, Toddler Trot, Free BBQ. 39th Annual Labor Day Arts Fair September 3 Enjoy the art and fine crafts from 90+ artists for one day only Lions Park, Red Lodge. Stroll the park and stop in the artists' booths. The Nitty Gritty Off Road Race September 8 This off-road race will be held at Red Lodge Mountain Resort. In its fifth year running, the Nitty Gritty is starting to earn quite the reputation. And that is, that it's, one nitty, gritty marathon with 14.7 miles of climbing (3,400-feet of elevation gain) all on dirt roads and single track trails. All events are subject to change. Check online for updates.
50th Annual Beartooth Run July 14 This year, it has a new 10K course at 10,000-ft elevation on the top of the scenic Beartooth Pass. The new "10 at 10" course showcases awesome views from the top of Line Creek Plateau, including the prominent Bear's Tooth, which the area was named after. Along with its amazing vistas, this course is all above 10,000 feet, making it one of the highest road races in the United States. Runners can choose between a 5K and 10K distance.
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14 • 2018 Experience Montana
History Comes Alive on the Little Bighorn!
The Little Bighorn Reenactment will be held on the banks of the Little Bighorn River this June 22, 23, and 24th at 1 pm. This is show will be the 28th anniversary of reenactment hosted by the Real Bird Family of the Crow Tribe. They wanted to share more of the Native Americans’ history; as well as showcase the land where Sitting Bull’s camp was located and where a portion of the battle was fought. See the troopers and braves crash across the Little Bighorn on the ground that has been memorialized in history books and on film. Battle is held between Garryowen/Reno’s Valley Fight and Custer’s Last Stand Hill. The Real Bird’s Little Bighorn Reenactment will be held on the 142nd anniversary of Custer’s Last Stand or as Crow and Sioux call it the Battle of the Greasy Grass. These shows allow audiences to experience firsthand the historic struggle for control of the West; where the Sioux nation was camped. Witness Brevet Major General George Custer and his 7th Cavalry troopers with their mounts come out of Medicine Tail Coulee and clash with authentic Indian Braves
as they cross the Little Bighorn River to recreate that infamous day of June 25, 1876. See the braves showcase their horsemanship skills bareback as they fight troopers wearing correct period uniforms, McClellan Saddle/tack and weapons. This is a favorite of many TV shows from History2, Travel, Discovery Times, PBS and more. This is one of the sites of filming for the movie ‘Little Big Man’. Witness Bvt. Major General Armstrong Custer and the 7th US Cavalry Troopers come out of the Medicine Tail Coulee and clash with Indian Braves as they both cross the Little Bighorn River, showcasing their great riding ability, while they recreate that famous day of June 25th, 1876. This re-enactment briefly reviews the history of the interaction of the Whites and the Native Americans in the West, Native American culture and horsemanship, and the major battles of the Northern Tribes. Experience with all your senses this epic battle of 600 7th US Cavalry and over 1,800 Warriors of Sioux, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe Indian Nations.
The Battle of the Little Bighorn re-enactment was started to share more of the Native American story of the Indian Wars and to have the re-enactment on the ground where the teepees of the Indian Village were located, between Custer’s Last Hill and RenoBenteen Battlefield. The Real Bird re-enactment is located just one mile north of Garryowen, Mont. (Exit 514), which is the location of the Custer Battlefield Museum and the start of the Battle where Reno’s Battalion attacked the village and retreated from the valley. From Billings, travel south on Interstate 90 past Crow Agency to Exit 514, turn east (left) and under the interstate, Garryowen is to your right, turn left onto the frontage road and travel @ 1 miles north to follow reenactment signs to turn right on to Real Bird/Whistling Water Loop. Drive .5 mile to north east corner for entrance at the river. Reenactment is also between Crow Agency, Garryowen and the historic points of Custer’s Last Stand Hill, Weir Point, and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield. Held at Medicine Tail Coulee and Minneconjou Ford, this is where Custer’s Battalion was closest to the village and where E and F troops were sent to attack the Indian village. US Cavalry School hosts their Custer’s Last Ride 8 day adventure June16-24 with the reenactment. Imagine learning the horsemanship, tactics, history, culture, and weapons of the period. Train to ride in the reenactment, ride the trails of Custer and Crazy horse, camp in wall tents on the river, cross the river, learn Native American history and more. There are military staff rides on the Rosebud and Little Bighorn battlefields, as well as cavalry riding courses. Many other activities take place during this week to include Crow Native Days. The Crow Agency Parade is at 10 am on June 22nd. And the excitement continues with a Pow-Wow, Horse Racing, Indian Rely Races, Ultimate Warrior Competition, and more. The Real Bird re-enactment lasts about 70-80 minutes. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for kids 8 to 14, and free to kids 7 and under. For quick processing at the entrance, exact change is appreciated. Learn more about the show at www. littlebighornreenactment.com.
Billings Area News Group • 15
1/6 page $ Color
Photos courtesy of Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development Real Bird's Reenactment of the Battle of the Little Bighorn
3 days of Little Bighorn Battle
22-24 June 2018, 1 PM at Garryowen, MT
www.LittleBighornReenacment.com
Ride our Custer’s Last Ride 8 day Adventure 17-24 June 2018 & 16-23 June 2019. 3 day riding & History Battle Ride 7-9 Sep 2018. History, Horsemanship, Tactics, & Staff Rides.
Call (406) 461-3614
www.USCavalrySchool.com
16 • 2018 Experience Montana