Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous Sept. 26-28

Kirk Shapland portrays Buffalo Bill Cody.

HAYES CENTER -- Storytellers will relive the buffalo-hunting exploits of Buffalo Bill Cody and the Russian grand duke, Alexis, during the fourth annual "Grand Duke Alexis Rendezvous" at Camp Hayes Sept. 26, 27 and 28. Weekend activities recreate the 1872 buffalo hunt hosted for Alexis by the American government and U.S. Army, Buffalo Bill Cody, generals George Armstrong Custer and Phil Sheridan and Sioux chief Spotted Tail. Buffalo Bill is portrayed by Kirk Shapland of Dighton, Kan.; the Grand Duke, the son of Russian Czar Alexander II, is recreated by Jahnis J. Abelite of Arlington, Wash.

Steve Alexander of Monroe, Mich., becomes Gen. Custer, and Wayne Mintling of Culbertson portrays Gen. Sheridan. Other events will include a performance by the "Many Moccasins Dance Troupe" of Winnebago, a ladies' tea, community church service, children's games, costume contest and frontier-era craft demonstrations. The Fort Gratten Free Trappers of Lewellen will coordinate the muzzle loader and black powder shoots and hawk and knife throws. Tours of the original monument site are planned.

All rendezvous activities are scheduled at Camp Hayes, 11 miles northeast of Hayes Center. The road will be marked. Parking is available north of the campsite; a horse-drawn shuttle wagon will run between the parking area and the campsite.

Fund-raising raffles will include an engraved Springfield 45-70 1874/ reproduction long rifle, a hand-made quilt and a framed buffalo hunt painting by Culbertson artist Don Dernovich. The rendezvous is sponsored by the Hayes Center Lions Club.

The schedule will be: FRIDAY, SEPT. 26 Black powder shoots, hawk- and knife-throwing, set up campsites. SATURDAY, SEPT. 27 9 a.m. -- Black powder shoots, hawk- and knife-throwing 11 a.m. -- Living historians' presentations. Noon-2 p.m. -- Lunch break. 1 p.m. -- Many Moccasins Dance Troupe. 2 p.m. -- Ladies' tea. 4 p.m. -- Living historians' presentations. Throughout the day: Childrens' games, monument tours and craft demonstrations. SUNDAY, SEPT. 28 8 a.m. -- Breakfast, black powder shoots. 11 a.m. -- Worship service. Noon -- Lunch break. 2 p.m. -- Living historians' presentations. 3 p.m. -- Raffle drawings. Primitive and modern campsites are available; wood and water are provided. For more information, contact Doris Vlasin (308) 286-3463; or Pat Hogeland, (308) 286-3420.