A Trip to the Old Frontier | Video

Alexander Gorney | 6/17/2012

Jon Norberg and his family didn`t need a DeLorean or Michael J Fox to make their trip to the old frontier worthwhile this weekend.

"It`s Father’s day, of course, and I wanted to spend some more time with my kids and I thought I`d take them to do something fun and educational."

Families like the Norbergs came to Fort Abraham Lincoln for Frontier Army Days. A weekend that takes visitors back to the days of Lt. Col. George Custer and the frontier.

"The Frontier Army of Dakota is here. This is living history at its best," said Sgt. Al Johnson of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Demonstrators were dressed head to toe in frontier-era attire. Kids had the chance to enlist in the frontier army of 1875 and go through infantry drills, while catching up with one of America`s most famous military men.

"This one festival during the summer allows them to walk up and touch a piece of history something beyond what they have read in books," said Steve Alexander, who portrayed Custer.

Soldiers fired off their old, trusty cannons and showed off their marksmanship skills.

"I like it a lot we`re exploring, we`re tourists, me and my brother and sister and dad. We came here to look at really cool stuff like the village and especially the cannon,” said Isabella Norberg.

Some kids left the frontier with their favorite memory.

"When the fire was out and the guns," said first grader Jonathan Hoiland.

Members of the 7th Cavalry displayed their fighting skills by slicing up a watermelon while on horseback, which was later devoured by hungry guests.

"It’s great it’s fun and it`s a good way to learn about frontier history," said Johnson.

Demonstrators say what better history lesson can you have than one that involves loud guns, swords, horses, music and food.

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