DELTA JUNCTION
The Delta Junction Chamber of Commerce lists attractions such as those below
as being available in Delta:
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Festival
of Lights in February (Sorry the link is to their site, which has
not been updated since 1999! But at least it gives you some idea of
what happens during the Festival of Lights, which usually occurs in
February.
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Friday, February
11 through the 13th, 2005
2005 Festival Of Lights
Other local groups and organizations are encouraged to plan events. For
more information contact Sheryl Mills 895-5068 or email: deltacc@wildak.net.
The Delta Chamber of Commerce invited everyone to join them for their
11th annual
Festival of Lights. The festival is a two day community wide event to fight "Cabin
Fever" and welcome the lights of spring. In 2001, the event featured local and statewide artisans & musicians. A partial listing of events
included: a Craft Fair, Lighthouse Contest, live music performances, fireworks,
the Polar
Bear Plunge, weight pulls & dog sled rides. Many events were centered at the Delta
School. For more information, call the Delta Chamber of Commerce at (907) 895-5068
or 895-5139 . A more
detailed schedule of events was published on the
Delta News Web. Try
our events calendar for dates.
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Memorial Day Buffalo Wallow Square Dance Jamboree
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July 4th Buffalo Barbeque
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On the Fourth of July, the Pioneers host the Buffalo Barbecue.
Roasted buffalo slices and sloppy joes are served, starting at noon
until sold out. Little League ball games or girls softball games,
can be found at the city park.
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Deltana Fair, last week in July
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During this three day event, watch the annual parade and view the
agricultural, educational, and garden exhibits. A variety of foods
can always be found in the booths at the fair. Livestock
competitions, mud bog races, and carnival rides can be found on the
midway.
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Delta Agricultural Project
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Farmer's Market
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Pipeline Pump Station Tours
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Historical Sites
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Great Fishing, Hunting In Season
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Largest Free Roaming Bison Herd In Alaska
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Several Private RV Parks With Full Hook-up
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Clearwater State Campground
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Winter Sports
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As the winter draws near, the locals start guessing when the
coldest day of the year will be, for the Delta Deep Freeze Classic.
(The winner guesses, to the second, the coldest temperature between
December 1st and February 28th.)
During the winter months, ice hockey is the sporting event to
watch in the ice rink (generally known as the Ice Palace). Players
range in age from five years to the high school division.
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BLM State Campground
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Museums
 | Sullivan Road House (on The National Register Of Historic Buildings) |
 | Alaska Homestead and Historical Museum |
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State Parks
 | Quartz Lake State Park (With Fishing, Hiking Camping and
Picknicking) |
 | Big Delta State Historical Park (Featuring Rika's Roadhouse and Landing) |
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Libraries
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Delta dates its beginnings from 1904. It was transportation on the Delta and
Tanana rivers that brought about commerce and eventual settlement of the area. Furs,
farming and fishing are still important here.
Bates Landing at the confluence of the Delta and Tanana rivers was a
convenient stopover for travelers crossing the Tanana by ferry.
In 1906 Bates
Landing became Rika's Roadhouse, now in the National Register of Historic Places and the
focal point of Big Delta State Historic Park.
(Photo
courtesy of Julie Coghill.)
At the time, the area was called Buffalo Center for the Bison herd relocated
here in 1928. Homesteading became important. Among the first to settle (in 1939) were Bert
and Mary Hanson. Their daughter Irene Mead was the first white baby born in the area, and
she's still there, playing a prominent role in local history and it's making.
Delta became the northern terminus of the Alcan Highway during World War II.
The 1422 mile road is the only road link between Alaska and Canada and connects Alaska to
the contiguous 48 States. It was built in 1942 for $115 million.
From World War II to the present, petroleum products transported through
pipelines have played a great part in the growth and development of Delta. Delta's gradual
growth with booms and busts has mirrored the pattern of Fairbanks to the north.
Up-to-date information about Delta events can be found at the website of their
newspaper
The
Delta News Web. |