Three years after construction on the New River Gorge Bridge commenced in June 1974, the structure was formally inaugurated to the public on October 22, 1977.
Bridge Day 2023: Date, History, Things you must do
Bridge Day, which occurs annually on the third Saturday of October (October 21 this year), is a day that extreme sports enthusiasts, adventure enthusiasts, and adrenaline junkies alike will adore. Contrary to its moniker, Bridge Day does not commemorate the architectural splendor of bridges across the globe. Bridge Day is an annual festival celebrated in Fayetteville, West Virginia, United States. Thousands of adventure enthusiasts attend and participate in a variety of extreme activities, the majority of which involve jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge. Approximately one hundred thousand individuals visit Fayette County annually during the third weekend of October to partake in the Bridge Day Celebrations. During the event, the New River Gorge Bridge Day Commission organizes and restricts access to the bridge for motor vehicles.
Three years after construction on the New River Gorge Bridge commenced in June 1974, the structure was formally inaugurated to the public on October 22, 1977. It was the longest single-span arch bridge in the world for a period of 26 years before falling to fifth place. Due to its enormous height of 876 feet, the bridge naturally drew daredevils from all over the globe. Cowen’s Burton Ervin, a coal mine supervisor, was the first individual to leap from the bridge. On August 1, 1979, he executed the feat via a conventional parachute.
In 1980, the inaugural Bridge Day was celebrated atop the New River Gorge Bridge, attracting an estimated 40,000 attendees. Bridge Day is observed annually on the third Saturday of October, with the exception of 2001, which was postponed due to the tragic explosions of September 11, and 2020, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The day’s activities include, among others, daring BASE leaps, rappels, and white-water rafting. The acronym BASE represents the various locations from which BASE leaps are possible: cliffs, buildings, antennae (radio masts), and spans (bridges).
The inaugural verified Bridge Day bungee jumper was Skip Stanley, colloquially referred to as the Blue Bandit, who executed the feat during the Bridge Day celebrations in 1985. Nevertheless, bungee leaping has been eliminated from the Bridge Day celebrations. The regulation was imposed in 1994 due to the protracted duration required to retract bungee jumpers.
Bridge Day has been documented in numerous world records. During the 1992 Bridge Day activities, Chris Allum, a native of New Zealand, established the world record for the longest bungee leap from a fixed structure. A year later, he and six others performed a bungee leap from the bridge while carrying a large basket, which also set the world record for the most people in a single bungee jump.
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On Bridge Day, individuals are granted an exception to the annual prohibition on BASE jumping within the United States National Park System. What better day than Bridge Day to indulge your daring fantasies than alongside one hundred thousand others? For novice jumpers, it is imperative that they acquire all the necessary equipment, enroll in a first jump course, and engage in rigorous training. An annual average of one hundred novice jumpers are drawn to the bridge due to its ample vertical space, water landing, and easily accessible instructional facilities.
Consider the sheer terror that must have befallen an observer as they witnessed an adventurer descend more than 800 feet to the water below. It is undeniably a magnificent spectacle and an opportunity that you should not refuse to partake in.
The evening before Bridge Day, on the Friday prior, guests can partake in the Taste of Bridge Day by dine at some of the region’s finest restaurants while taking in lively live entertainment, delectable fare, locally crafted artwork, and an electric ambiance that will prepare you for the day of excitement that awaits on Bridge Day.
An Annual Bridge Day Chilli Cook-Off is held annually in Historic Downtown Fayetteville, where the finest chili examples from throughout the region can be sampled.
An additional event is the Active SWV Bridge Day 3-mile run, which commences at the bridge and concludes in downtown Fayetteville; while running, participants are treated to breathtaking vistas of the New River Gorge.
An alternative, more tranquil and picturesque route entails traversing Fayette Station Road towards the Tunney Hunsaker Bridge, from which one can behold an awe-inspiring panorama of BASE jumpers and rappellers at eye level.
During Bridge Day, an ensemble of Xtreme Pogo acrobatic performers will convert the enjoyable children’s game into an exhilarating aerial adventure.
You can purchase a variety of items from some of the finest and most talented chefs, craftsmen, and traders in West Virginia. You can take a piece of West Virginia and Bridge Day home with you by purchasing handcrafted jewelry, fossils, and delectable meals, among other things.
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | October 16 | Saturday |
| 2022 | October 15 | Saturday |
| 2023 | October 21 | Saturday |
| 2024 | October 19 | Saturday |
| 2025 | October 18 | Saturday |
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