10/1/2009
NEW RIVER GORGE, W.Va. – Celebrating its 30th anniversary, Bridge Day offers plenty of thrills on the New River Gorge Bridge on Oct. 17.
“This year commemorates the October 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge and the anniversary of the first Bridge Day event held,” says Cindy Dragan, event chair. The New River Gorge Bridge is the second longest single arch bridge in the world and is the second-highest bridge in the United States. It sits 876 feet above the New River, the second-oldest river in the world.
Bridge Day has been selected this year as one of Southeast Tourism Society’s prestigious Top 20 events for the month of October 2009 and has been named one of North America’s 100 Best Events for 2010 by the American Bus Association. It attracts as many as 100,000 visitors and is regarded as West Virginia's largest one-day event and the largest extreme sports event in the world. On the third Saturday of every October, BASE jumpers descend on the New River Gorge for their chance to jump from the massive steel arch bridge. There is no charge for spectators to attend the festival.
Twenty-five teams have been chosen to rappel off the bridge and more than 300 people will participate, according to Benjy Simpson, the event rappel coordinator. “They will come from 18 states and there are two teams from Canada.”
The "Taste of Bridge Day" event kicks off the weekend on Friday, Oct. 16, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Smokey's On the Gorge restaurant. Area restaurants will present their best foods for the public to sample, with awards for best foods, desserts and displays. Tickets may be purchased at the door.
For more specific Bridge Day information, please contact the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce or the New River Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-927-0263, or visit the official Bridge Day Web site at www.officialbridgeday.com.
Contact Information
Tricia Sizemore
304-558-2003 x 319
tricia.t.sizemorewv.gov