Fayetteville, WV (WOAY) – West Virginia’s largest one-day festival is less than two weeks away, and organizers say preparations are moving quickly.
Bridge Day returns to the New River Gorge Bridge on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Organizers expect more than 300 BASE jumpers and rappelers for the 47th annual event.
U.S. Route 19 will close across the bridge from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce is asking visitors to use shuttle lots in Oak Hill, Fayetteville and on the north side of the gorge.
Tim Naylor, executive assistant with the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, said attendance often depends on the forecast, which he says so far this year is looking good. He expects between 60,000 and 120,000 people and says that the chamber is ahead of schedule as it coordinates vendors, BASE jumpers and volunteers.
“We still got a lot of moving parts to get in place and get everything ready, but we’re moving right along. I feel like we’re ahead of schedule,” Naylor said. “Making sure all our paperwork’s ready, all our vendors have all their information, all the base jumpers have their information and, of course, all our volunteers.”
