The festival will feature live entertainment, a whitewater marketplace, raffle, and a silent auction where you can pick up some awesome outdoor gear. Come out and join us for a weekend of great paddling, exciting camaraderie, live entertainment, killer boat raffles, and the infamous silent auction.
All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater’s river conservation and access work throughout the nation. Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest paddling festival in the world.
West Virginia! The event will showcase a Bridal Party Theme. Attendees will have a chance to renew their vows to American Whitewater with membership support and receive a commemorative token. Whether you choose to dress up as a bride, groom, wedding officiant, flower girl/boy, or a bridesmaid/groomsman, you’ll be in the running to win our costume party on Saturday night. We’re excited to see you all show up rocking those 70s tuxedos and wedding dresses!
Online tickets sales for the event are now available online. This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year! Ticket sales for Gauley Fest fund the river project work we do at American Whitewater and we are grateful for every attendee! Tickets start at $60 for Thursday entrance/$50 for Friday entrance/$40 for Saturday entrance. Ticket prices will increase in September, so grab your tickets early!
We’re still looking for volunteers to put on the biggest whitewater festival in all the lands. It takes an entire village to come together to put on this event, which started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River. If you sign up, you get a free event t-shirt and will be entered to win some super drawing prizes. You’ll also get good river karma for one full year.
Finally, we still have a little space left in our Vendor Marketplace to showcase your business or organization. If you’re interested in vending, head here to learn more and register.
