Man participating in Bridge Day 2025. Credit: Alondra Molina/WVU Reed School of Media
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — One of West Virginia’s biggest tourist attractions drew more than 100,000 visitors Saturday, October 18. Bridge Day, held every third Saturday in October, once again turned the New River Gorge Bridge into a stage for thrill-seekers — and a major boost for the local economy.
For one day each year, the 876-foot-high bridge closes to traffic and opens to BASE jumpers, rappellers, and visitors from around the world eager to take in the view or take the plunge.
Gabriele Bobinski, a vendor originally from Austria, sells crocheted hats at the festival, but for her, the event is about more than just sales. Bobinski donates any unsold items to a local orphanage.
“It’s well worth it,” Bobinski said. “You get a lot of exposure, and there are so many people. I never thought in a million years I’d sell my hats — so come on up here and do it.”
Bobinkski is one of more than 200 vendors who set up shop during the festival, selling everything from peanuts to clothing.
Bridge Day also highlights the state’s growing reliance on tourism. In 2024, more than 77 million people visited West Virginia’s attractions — including the New River Gorge — contributing more than $9 billion in economic impact statewide.
But this year’s event nearly didn’t happen. A potential federal government shutdown threatened to close national parks, including the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. To keep the bridge open for the festival, Gov. Patrick Morrisey committed $98,000 in state funds to ensure operations continued.
A parachute jumper at the 2025 Bridge Day. Credit: Alondra Molina/WVU Reed School of Media
Tim Naylor, executive assistant of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, said the investment was vital.
“We use that money to do other events and put on this event,” Naylor said. “It’s not like we’re making a whole lot of money just to make money. We’re putting money back into the event to make it bigger and better every year.”
For many local businesses, Bridge Day isn’t just a festival — it’s one of the most important revenue days of the year.
This article was adapted from a television news story using AI. All reporting, facts and quotes from sources are original. AI was only used to assist with formatting and style for a digital platform.