FAYETTE COUNTY, W.Va. — The chair of the Bridge Day Commission tells MetroNews she’s happy “the family” will be together on Bridge Day, set for Saturday, Oct. 17 on the New River Gorge Bridge in Fayette County.
Registration opened on July 1 and, so far, Sharon Cruikshank said registration numbers have been strong. About 80 BASE jumpers had registered as of late last week along with 90 vendors and 125 people who will rappel.
BASE stands for building, antenna, span, earth — all of the fixed objects people can jump from with parachutes specifically designed for rapid deployment. Typically, Bridge Day draws about 450 BASE jumpers.
“We look to see an increase in numbers probably next month. Closer to the event people make that decision,” Cruikshank said of registrations.
There had been attendance concerns when some BASE jumpers threatened to skip the event, the only day BASE jumping is allowed by law on the New River Gorge Bridge, following a change to security requirements which critics called “intrusive.”
Finger scans are now required of all participants. With a compromise agreement, those who do not wish to submit to finger scans can opt for background checks through a third-party. A donor is covering fees for those checks for BASE jumpers this year.
“Right now, I think everybody’s over it and we’re moving forward,” Cruikshank said of the controversy that threatened Bridge Day participation. At one point, a competing event, dubbed “The Other Bridge Days,” was announced for Twin Falls, Idaho.
“I think we had some bumpy roads after October last year, but everybody came to the tables and really worked together to come to an agreement, something that would work for everybody,” Cruikshank said. Communication, she said, was key.
BASE, rappel and vendor representatives were added to the Bridge Day Commission in the wake of the dispute.
Less than 90 days remain until Bridge Day. This year, Whiskey 7, a restored plane that flew at Normandy, will be part of the event. An all-veterans parachute team will be jumping from the plane.
“We’ll have skydivers, BASE jumpers, rappellers, it’s going to be a great day. We look forward to having everybody in Fayetteville,” Cruikshank said.
“There was going to be a Bridge Day, one way or the other, I’m thankful that the family can all be together and BASE, I consider BASE part of that family.”
For more information on Bridge Day 2015, click here.