Bridge Day - Near Fayetteville, West Virginia

Bridge Day - Near Fayetteville, West Virginia

Bridge Day, the day when over 200,000 people gather to celebrate the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge.  This celebration includes parachutists jumping from the Bridge to the river below, rappellers dangling from ropes under the bridge, food and arts and crafts vendors galore and great entertainment for everyone!

Bridge Day is on the third Saturday in October when the fall colors of the New River Gorge are usually at their peak.

There are normally approximately 300 BASE jumpers leaping off the New River Gorge Bridge during Bridge Day.  This is the ONLY day that jumping from the bridge is permitted.  Not everyone is able to leap from the bridge.  Jumpers must register months in advance and must make 50 prior skydives or "BASE jumps".  BASE is an acronym for the four types of fixed objects from which they may leap.  These include buildings, antennas, spans, earth.  Jumpers must show up several days before the festival for gear checks and mandatory meetings.

The 2009 (and perhaps from then on) jump will include a diving-board launch, a trampoline launch, and packing exhibitions.  The drop is 876 feet tot he banks of the New River and the jumpers will be competing for accuracy.

For those that are interested in participating in activities for Bridge Day there will be whitewater rafting provided by more than 20 West Virginia whitewater rafting companies on Bridge Day as well as other days of the year.

There is also a great opportunity for mountain biking along the New River Gorge.  With the fall colors in full show it's a wonderful ride, but even if you don't ride on Bridge Day the trails are great for riding anytime of the year.

Maybe you would like to do some rock climbing while you are there.  There are nine climbing courses ranging from an introductory half-day climb and rappeling program to advanced studies of complex climbing problems for seasoned climbers.

Take some time and go horseback riding while you are in the area.  It is a great way to see the colors from a different prospective and truly enjoy the peace of the area.

Location: New River Gorge Bride on US Rte 19, near Fayetteville, West Virginia.