This News-Record article relives the Delhi Belgian Day celebrations from 1951.

Hundreds of Belgian Canadian people from the flue cured tobacco district, the Leamington “Old Belt” area and from many points in the United States gathered at the Belgian Hall yesterday afternoon and evening for the annual festival. Despite an early afternoon rainstorm, all of the program was completed and an excellent time enjoyed.

Medard Vandewalle, president of the club, welcomed the visitors and extended greetings to newcomers. A visitor late in the afternoon was C.H. Martin of Simcoe, Member of Parliament for Norfolk Haldimand.

The program started at three o’clock with a 34 mile bike race which was officially opened by Reeve A. Carter. At 3:30 there was a bowling tournament and at 5:30 presentation of prizes to the bicycle riders. Card games were started at 7:00. Later in the evening dancing was enjoyed to the music of Johnny Downs and his orchestra of London.

The bicycle race started at the function of the Cole Road and proceeded to Norwich where the racers circled the race track once, thence back to No. 59 highway to Browns Corner, turned left to Teeterville, proceeded to Windham Centre, Delhi, along Church to Queen Street, thence to Pine Street. The finish line was located at the junction of Pine Street and No. 3 Highway.

Winner of the gruelling race was 16-year-old and stocky Tom O’Rourke of Detroit, a member of the Wolverine Wheelman’s Association of that city, which was prominent and represented. Delhi’s Oscar Mortier was second with Garwood Geirger of Detroit third spot. Clair Young of Detroit was fourth and Gabriel DeDobbeleer of Delhi, Norfolk County Junior Champion last year, came in fifth.