| Bridge Day occurs each year on the third Saturday in October as a tribute to the construction of the New River Gorge Bridge in 1977. Spanning 3,030 feet, it is the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere taking three years to complete and costing nearly $37 million. The first official Bridge Day was celebrated in 1980 to commemorate this modern feat. Now travelers can traverse the gorge in less than a minute eliminating a 40-min. detour! |
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One of America's Top One Hundred Festivals
Bridge Day has grown into a huge event with visitors arriving from near and far to participate in the myriad of events that takes place on the New River Gorge Bridge and the nearby town of Fayetteville. There are organized walks/hikes, parachuting and rappelling demonstrations, music, and a variety of vendor booths not to mention all the antiquing and shops in Fayetteville. Join the Hillbilly Hikers for an official VOLKSWALK. Two well marked walks take you across the bridge into historic Fayetteville or deep into the gorge and back. The historic Fayetteville Theater offers lively entertainment at 8 p.m. every weekend evening.
The biggest spectacle by far is watching hundreds of Base Jumpers take a flying leap over the side of the New River Gorge Bridge to meet the swift waters of the New River below. This freefall lasts only a few seconds from bridge rail to splash down, so successful execution requires trained expert jumpers and a well-orchestrated team of water safety, communications and emergency personnel. Behind the scenes, or rather below them perched on the catwalk beneath the bridge, are expert rappellers who execute rescue operations in the gorge if necessary. Jumps take place for six hours (9am-3pm EST).
NOTE: Pets, bicycles, carts, and strollers are not permitted on the bridge during Bridge Day. Coolers, packages, and large packs or satchels will not be permitted on the bridge for security reasons.
2005 Bridge Day Schedule of Events
Friday, Oct 14th
5 - 9 p.m.
October 14, 2005 Taste of Bridge Day ($)
Sponsored by WV Dodge Dealers
Hosted by Oak Hill Rotary & Fayette County Chamber
(Smokey’s on the Gorge, Ames Heights Rd., Rt. 19)
5p.m. to 8 p.m.
Historic Fayette Theatre Production ($)
(Court St., Fayetteville)
Saturday, Oct 15th
6:30 a.m.
Eucharist Service
Sponsored by the New River Episcopal Ministries
(Information Center, Oyler Ave., Rt. 19, Oak Hill)
6:30 - 10 a.m.
Pancake Breakfast ($)
Sponsored by Fayetteville Rotary
(American Legion Hall, Maple Ave., Fayetteville)
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
26th Annual New River Gorge Bridge Day Festival
Sponsored by WV Dodge Dealers BASE Jumping, Rappelling & Highline, and More!
(Rt. 19)
12 Noon
18th Annual Car Show
(Comfort Inn, Laurel Creek Rd, Rt. 19)
12 Noon - 3 p.m.
Live Music
(Canyon Rim Gifts, Lansing Rd., Rt. 19)
8 p.m.
Historic Fayette Theatre Production ($)
(Court St., Fayetteville)
Sunday, Oct 16th
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mountain. State Slalom & Skateboard Competition
(Fayetteville) |
MORE INFORMATION
Fayette County Chamber of Commerce
(304) 465-5617 or (800) 927-0263
http://www.newrivercvb.com
Fayetteville Visitor Center
1-888-574-1500
http://www.visitfayettevillewv.com
Southern West Virginia Convention and Visitors Bureau
(304) 252-2244 or (800)VISITWV
http://www.visitwv.com
New River Gorge National Park
1-800-927-0263
http://www.nps.gov/neri/bridgeday.htm
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