FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WOAY) – Welcome to Bridge Day 2024, the 45th anniversary. We are just five days away and counting.
Visit Fayetteville is gearing up for a big week, and they’ve got you covered when it comes to downtown events.
“You go, do all the fun stuff on the bridge, see the base jumpers, grab a funnel cake, have all that fun,” said Visit Fayetteville’s executive director Tabitha Stover. “Then after the big bridge celebration on Saturday, you can come downtown in Fayetteville and we do the Bridge Day Chili Cook-Off. It runs from 3pm to 6pm, and we’re gonna have some of the region’s best chili competitors (try samples from mild to wild).”
Eighteen different groups in both the adult and youth divisions registered for the bridge day chili cook-off. There’ll also be live music and games on the courthouse lawn. It’s like a big community block party open to everyone.
“Bridge day; there’s so many people. It’s packed, it’s exciting, but it’s nice to take a breather after that and just wind down on the courthouse lawn, load up on chili, and hang out with your friends and family,” Stover said. “It’s a fun evening hang and it’s a little bit more of a community event. “You kind of get to feel the heart of Fayetteville and that’s a big draw too.”
When it comes to the effect of Bridge Day on Fayetteville tourism, the executive director says it’s hard to wrap one’s head around the extent of the impact. Often people get involved in the bridge festivities, then just get in their car and leave.
“One of the reasons we do the chili cook-off is we want to see if some of our small businesses get to feel some of that love from Bridge Day,” said Stover. “It’s kind of mind-blowing that people have some of their best sales days for that little portion of the day.”
Wishing you a fantastic Bridge Day 2024 and Chili Cook-Off. Visit Fayetteville provides Mardi Gra beads and the chance to vote for your fave spicy stew.
“Be involved in the people’s choice and get to choose the region’s best chili cook. So it’s a lot of fun,” Stover said.
