We’ve got this big bridge here in Fayetteville. Well, it’s not really just big; it\’s very long, too. It is the longest arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere. It spans the New River Gorge.
This bridge is famous; like, really famous. People come from all over the world to see it. You maybe have stuck its image on a package you mailed. It’s on a stamp. Back in 1990s, GMC filmed a TV commercial here and they bungeed a pickup truck off The Bridge. No, really … they did, for real. Perhaps you’re carrying it around in your pocket. Its image is on the West Virginia quarter. Take a look. It’s there.
On the third Saturday of October for the past 31 years, The Bridge is closed to vehicular traffic to celebrate the splendor of this awesome bridge and the surrounding mountain area. This is Bridge Day! From 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. you can walk The Bridge and watch the folks who are BASE jumping, rappelling, and highlining do their thing. There’s also a Taste of Bridge Day event, food and craft vendors, a pancake breakfast, farmer’s market, free shuttle service, car show, chili and cornbread cook-off, live music downtown, bike swap, and motorcycle awareness parade. There are lots of things to do and see on The Bridge and in downtown Fayetteville. Now, be forewarned … there are also many thousands of people. You won’t be here alone and you won’t want to miss a minute of the good time. Come early and stay all day! An even better idea is to make a weekend of it. That way you can get the full throttle Bridge Day experience.
Visit the official Bridge Day web site for everything you need to know to have a great visit.