Heart-pounding excitement awaits: this is Bridge Day

Are you ready? West Virginia’s biggest, most exciting one-day festival is almost here! Bridge Day 2022, one of the largest BASE jumping festivals in the world returns and will be held on October 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the New River Gorge Bridge in Lansing.

What is Bridge Day?
Bridge Day is held every third Saturday in October, and is one of the largest extreme sports festivals in the world. It’s the only chance each year where hundreds of serious BASE jumpers from around the world get to fly 876 feet off the Bridge and into the Gorge below. Rappelling teams will ascend and descend from the catwalk, too.

It’s also the only day out of the year that the Bridge is completely closed to traffic, meaning you can walk across and take in the view from 876 feet above the New River Gorge! Fall color is finally starting to show here, meaning the Bridge is the perfect overlook to view vibrant foliage in the New River Gorge.

Curious about the history of this unique event? It all began when the New River Gorge Bridge was opened on October 22, 1977. Ever since its opening, the Bridge has become an iconic West Virginia landmark. The first Bridge Day was held in 1980, when two people parachuted from a plane onto the bridge and 5,500 people walked across the bridge.

Festival Details
Never been to Bridge Day before? No worries, here are all the festival details you need!

Start your fun-filled weekend at Taste of Bridge Day. Local restaurants will go all out Friday night at Adventures on the Gorge, serving up special dishes for your tastebuds. Buy tasting tickets at the event to taste your way around the Gorge!

Kick off your Saturday morning with an adrenaline rush at the Bridge Day 5k! This unique 5k is the only race across the New River Gorge Bridge and begins at 8 a.m. Registration is still open!

You’ll get 6 full hours of adrenaline fueled excitement at Bridge Day. The New River Gorge Bridge closes at 7 a.m and reopens to traffic at 5 p.m. Spectators are welcome from 9am to 3pm.  Check out the rules for Bridge Day and make sure you know where to park and catch a shuttle!

When you’ve had your fill of excitement, head to downtown Fayetteville for the Bridge Day Chili Cook-off! Taste samples of some of the best chili recipes from local community members, then vote for your favorite.

Whether it’s your first Bridge Day or your 40th, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. What’s your favorite part about Bridge Day?