Mudah Ebel, of Sac City, became Private Ebel.

That meant they handed her a replica of a Civil War-era rifle, dressed her in a wool uniform coat, made sure her hat fit correctly and then added the belt and the ammunition pouch for good measure.

“I’m hot and sweaty.” Ebel said.

Her drill instructor was O.J. Fargo, of Creston.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Mudah Ebel, of Sac City, pours a powder charge into a Civil War-era rifle Saturday morning as she learned about military life during the era from members of the Army of the Southeast during Frontier Days events at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. The group has provided her with the hot wool uniform, directions and the cap.

“I’m not from there,” he said of his last name. “I sold it.”

After some instruction from Fargo, Private Ebel fired her rifle into the air. “That was different,” she said. “I’ve never fired one before.”

Fargo said the group’s main focus is on education. Every tent in their camp offered the visitors a chance to learn hands-on about Army life in the era, but firing the rifles seemed to be particularly popular.

They also like to entertain.

“We just shoot each other because that’s what they expect.” Fargo joked about the group’s battle re-enactments.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Leonard Abels, of Earlham, patrols the mean dusty dry streets of the Fort Museum and Frontier Village Saturday morning during the Frontier Days events. Abels is a member of the Hole In The Sock Gang.

For Mitchell Doyle, of Fort Dodge, the day presented a chance to make some memories with his son Vincent Doyle, 3, and to share some of his own.

“My grandpa used to do the Cowboy Camp,” Doyle said. “I’d spend all weekend out here.”

Doyle has fond memories of the food Kenny Rasch used to prepare over the fire, but he had to earn his supper too. Rasch was a founding member of Frontier Days.

“He had me splitting wood every year.” Doyle said.

The Hole in the Sock Gang returned to Frontier Days this year. The group of Old West enthusiasts entertain the crowd with gun fights in the middle of the street and stroll the Frontier Village.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Members of the Army of the Southeast group turn a half pound of black powder into smoke and a loud boom Saturday morning as they fire their cannon during the Frontier Days events at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village.

Leonard Abels, of Earlham, is a “deputy marshall” with the group. He said they’re in it for the fun.

“We always like this one,” he said of Frontier Days. “It’s a fun event.”

The staged shootouts produce a lot of noise, a lot of smoke, a lot of smiles and a lot of gentlemen who’ve reached the age of having knee problems on the ground pretending to be dead, where they might need some help getting up.

Abels is sometimes a winner, sometimes heading for Boot Hill.

“We take turns being dead,” he said.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Frontier Days Parade Marshalls Casey and Deb Johnson enjoy their Saturday with a spin down Central Avenue during the Frontier Days Parade.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Senior Airman Joseph Gerdes, of Fort Dodge, shows off his throwing skills Saturday morning as he walks in the Frontier Days Parade with his fellow members of the 133rd Test Squadron.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
One of the Patriot Guard Riders that helped lead off the Frontier Days Parade gives high fives to some of the kids watching along Central Avenue Saturday morning.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Peter Brunette, dressed as a large chicken-riding sheriff, makes his way down Central Avenue Saturday morning during the Frontier Days Parade. Brunette and his performance partner Penelope Fratelli were part of the weekend's entertainment.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Members of the Army of the Southeast group load a charge into their cannon Saturday morning during the Frontier Days events at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. The foil cylinder contains about 1/2 pound of black powder.

-Messenger photo by Hans Madsen
Laney Richards, 8, of Fort Dodge, enjoys a good rest Saturday morning while waiting for the Frontier Days parade to start along Central Avenue. Her grandfather, Keith Richards, and her mom, Dana Richards, selected lawnchairs.