Delta King Days
Many events were planned during approximately eleven days preceding and including the Victoria Day/May long weekend in Kitimat. Each year the Days planning committee added and changed events to be held. Constant among them were a raft race, beer garden, dances, sports and musical events, and a casino.
The Delta King Days were launched by MESS students and The Kitimat Kiwanis Club in an effort to involve the whole town. Old-timers, newcomers, adults, children, immigrants and Canadian-born all contributed to making Kitimat what it is today.
"This year's Delta King Days climaxes on Victoria Day with activities including an old-timers' reunion dance complete with hits of the '40s and '50s and a jitterbug contest; a salmon bake and canoe races at Kitamaat Village; musical performances; swimming displays at the Sam Lindsay Memorial Pool; dirt riders' race; and the now traditional raft race. From Little Wedeene Park to the Kitimat River Bridge, the raft race is a short but difficult seven miles on the spring-flood-swollen Kitimat River. The race is preceded by a Rafter's Pancake Breakfast and followed by a casino (complete with a vaudeville act, games of chance and can-can girls) during which race winners are awarded prizes - in their dry clothes."
Northern Sentinel, Thursday, May 20, 1976
Kitimat Raft Race at Delta King Days
Start line on the Kitimat River, Delta King Days Raft Race, May 20, 1974
Kitimat Raft Race at Delta King Days
Raft race finish line - the Haisla Bridge. Delta King Days, May 20, 1974
Raft Race on the Kitimat River
The annual Delta King Days raft race on the Kitimat River, May 30, 1971.