FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — It’s set to be a packed Fayette County Saturday for the annual bridge day festivities.
North of 300 base jumpers will launch themselves from atop the New River Gorge Bridge and parachute to the ground below.
While gathering on the bridge and watching the jumpers is the main attraction, Fayette County Chamber of Commerce spokesman Tim Naylor says there is something for everyone.
“Outside of the base jumpers, we’ve got over 160 food vendors and arts and crafts dealers and a little bit of everything for you to mosey through while you’re walking towards the bridge. Taking in that fall scenery is just spectacular, especially this time of year,” Naylor said.
Drought conditions did affect much of the Mountain State throughout August and part of September, which caused some concern for how the fall foliage would look for Bridge Day.
According to Naylor, tomorrow’s weather looks good, and he expects the leaves to be popping.
“We got a good bit of rain last week, so I think that’s going to help,” Naylor said. “I think we’re as close to peak as we’re going to get. Regardless of what the leaves look like, it is going to be beautiful here tomorrow.”
Last week, Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the state’s deal with the federal government to keep its two national parks open would be extended. The deal has the state paying about $7,000 a day to keep the visitors centers open at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.
The extension ensured that the visitors center and other operations would be functioning normally for perhaps the state’s most important tourist day of the year.
“That really helps with keeping our visitors center open, giving the tourists and other people some other things to do. It is a great help that we were able to keep that going to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch,” Naylor said.
Naylor, the Fayette County native, says this event shows outsiders what the Mountain State is all about.
“If you’ve never been to Bridge Day or you’ve never been to West Virginia, this really showcases everything that West Virginia has to offer,” Naylor said. “You’re going to see a lot of local people so you’re going to get the opportunity to really mingle and see what we really are about, not just what you hear about or see on TV.”
He says reuniting with those he hasn’t seen in a while is always his favorite part.
“My favorite part is just seeing the people. I grew up here, so seeing my friends and family and people I don’t get to see very often. You can almost guarantee you’re going to see them at Bridge Day,” Naylor said.