Every third Saturday in October the New River Gorge Bridge closes to traffic and opens for the largest one day festival in West Virginia. Spectacular views, BASE Jumpers, and vendors offering food and crafts. October 20, 2012.....makes the 33rd year for Bridge Day. Bridge Day is a celebration of the New River Gorge Bridge, the area, and the fall season.
The dedication ceremony of the new bridge was October 22, 1977, and the public was allowed to walk on and view this magnificent structure and its beautiful surroundings. The turnout for the opening ceremony was much greater than anticipated. So a couple of years later in 1980, the first Bridge Day was born. Read more about the Bridge Day History.
The 876' tall New River Gorge Bridge serves as the launch point for six hours (9am-3pm EST) of safe, legal BASE jumps. This is the only day of the year that traffic is shut down and spectators can safely and legally walk across the world's second longest single arch bridge. Vehicular traffic on the Bridge will be closed from 7am until approximately 5pm. The New River Gorge Bridge is located on Route 19 in Fayetteville, WV.
The Bridge is constructed from Cor-Ten steel; it is designed to form a layer of rust as a protective barrier. This rust gives the Bridge a dark reddish-orange color that blends in with the colors of the fall foliage.
- Longest steel arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere with a 1,700’ span
- Second highest bridge in the United States at 876’
- The bridge length is 3,030’
- The deck width is 69 feet 4 inches
- Total bridge weight is 88,000,000 lbs.
Some of the events for Bridge Day
- BASE Jumping – Some 400+ BASE jumpers make the annual trip to the Bridge to take advantage of the only day of the year it’s legal to parachute there.
- High Line – A 700-foot slide down a rope from the Bridge to the side of the Gorge.
- Rappelling – Another Bridge Day activity that is a crowd pleaser. Teams of 12-16 people can register to rappel the Bridge on Bridge Day.
- Check out the vendors on the Bridge selling food, crafts, and other items.
Check out the schedule of events for Bridge Day
You just may want to go down into the Gorge and watch the action from under the Bridge. There are two ways to get there: on foot or by shuttle.
The Town of Fayetteville will be hosting a car show, street music, cornhole competition, Chili Cook-Off and other activities. Fayetteville is just a short distance from the Bridge.
For more information on the New River Gorge Bridge Day, call 800-927-0263
Try to make Bridge Day on October 20th and enjoy all the activities and the beauty of autumn in southern West Virginia....indeed the best of West Virginia!
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