FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WOAY) West Virginia’s biggest adrenaline rush was in full effect for the 46th Annual Bridge Day.
Thousands gathered on the New River Gorge Bridge to watch BASE jumpers take the plunge at one of the Mountain State’s proudest traditions.
For the past 25 years, Luann Wright and her college friends have been attending Bridge Day, making it a weekend getaway.
“I’m a West Virginia girl, so getting a chance to see the fall colors doesn’t get better than this,” said the Charleston resident.
Vendor Cardinal Creek enjoys returning to Bridge Day each year to sell his printed t-shirts, hats, engraved signs, and glassware.
“So much fun, we get to bring the wives. We get to be out in the weather and have a nice day,” Seth Davidson said. “Sneak down to the bridge. Have good food, and even more than what we’re able to sell, we have a really good opportunity to talk to people from all over the country.”
Trying to see as many national parks as possible, this Bainbridge Island, Washington State resident stopped at Bridge Day for the first time.
“Fantastic. It’s really remarkable,” said Ken Elam. “And we are such fans of the national parks. We’re so grateful for them.”
Bridge Day draws worldwide thrill-seekers and spectators.
“Maybe 50% of the people that we talk to, if we ask if they have been to Bridge Day before, they say no,” Davidson said. “And so, as a state, we get such great exposure from Bridge Day. I don’t know how you replicate an event like this.”
Would you base jump?
“Just exciting that these people are so daring,” said Columbus, Ohio Resident Don Roberts. “But no way. No way.”
People couldn’t get enough of the heart-stopping Bridge Day action.
“It’s absolutely just walking out here and seeing people willing to toss themselves off a bridge,” Wright said. “A wild experience, being a part of something really big. And this doesn’t happen anyplace else that I’m aware of.”
