Plan Your Trip to Bridge Day | Bridge Day October 19th 2013

SPONSORSHIP

Be a part of Bridge Day 2013! Learn more about sponsorship.
VENDOR INFORMATION

Visit our vendor page to learn how to make your products available to thousands of Bridge Day visitors.
PARKING

Shuttle information, parking locations and download a parking map
NEED TO KNOW

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Archive for the ‘Bridge Day Vendors’ Category

Bridge Day and Green Paper Products Help Vendors Go Green

Thursday, April 18th, 2013

You already know about Bridge Day’s efforts to go green and reduce waste. In 2013, we’ll implement another initiative that will make a difference.

Here’s our official press release about our new partnership with Green Paper Products:

April 16, 2013- In 2013, for the first time in its 34 year history, Bridge Day will require all food vendors to serve hot and cold drinks, not sold in bottles or cans, in compostable drink containers. According to Sharon Cruikshank, Bridge Day vendor coordinator, “Bridge Day is committed to helping reduce environmental waste and promoting sustainability”.

Going green helps the Gorge!

To help convert all Bridge Day vendors to compostable products, Bridge Day is teaming up with Green Paper Products, an American company, to provide any hot or cold cups the vendors will use on Bridge Day free of charge. Green Paper Products will also make available any additional paper products vendors wish to purchase at a discounted price.

“We are excited to be able to take another step forward in our efforts to reduce the footprint of Bridge Day”, stated Cindy Dragan, Bridge Day Chair. As West Virginia’s largest one-day festival, Bridge Day can bring attention to the importance of environmental stewardship. By requiring compostable drink containers, selling 100% recycled, sustainable shirts provided by Sustain U and recycling with the efforts of our local Boy Scout Troops and the Fayetteville Green Team, Bridge Day feels we continue to move in the right direction.

What does this mean for you, the vendor? It is simple. You decide how many hot and cold cups, and lids, 12 or 16 oz. you think you will need for Bridge Day and with the help of Green Paper Products we will have them for you on Bridge Day morning. Green Paper Products will also be offering a 5% discount and 30% shipping discount on all of their other compostable products to all Bridge Day vendors.

To take the initiative one step further, we will have special green star recognition for those vendors that use all compostable paper products. This will include a special sign on your booth and special designation on the Bridge Day app.

Steps for Bridge Day food vendors to order cups:

• Decide how many 12 and 16 oz hot and cold cups and lids you need.

• Call 800-927-0263 and let us know what that number is. (We will have these cups for you on Bridge Day morning.)

Steps to become a Bridge Day Green Star food vendor:

• Go to www.GreenPaperProducts.com and find the compostable products you are interested in.

• Call 800-927-0263 and we will give you the code that will allow you to purchase products at a 5% discount with a 30% discount on shipping

Bridge Day is looking forward to working with you and Green Paper Products to reduce environment waste and promote sustainability while providing the best products and experience for our guests.

If you have questions please call 800-927-0263.

Tags: Bridge Day, green, paper products, vendors
Posted in Bridge Day Vendors | No Comments »

Bridge Day Shirts: How to Get One, And Why You Should

Thursday, October 11th, 2012

Hurry, hurry, hurry folks! Step right up and get them while they’re hot.

No we’re not talking about those delicious Bridge Day funnel cakes. We wanted to let you know to be sure to get your Official Bridge Day 2012 apparel as soon as you step foot on the Bridge.

For the third consecutive year, SustainU Apparel has partnered with Bridge Day to provide the official T-shirts for the event. And we think it’s a great fit. No pun intended.

Bridge Day 2012 Shirt Design

SustainU, a West Virginia company headquarted in Morgantown, is a leading producer of high quality apparel, using 100% recycled materials in their fabrics. And what’s even better is that the shirts are made right here in the USA (just like our favorite Bridge).

Why SustainU?

Using a West Virginia clothing company that makes shirts right here in the US just makes sense. Bridge Day is a great fall festival, thanks in large part to the American ingenuity and hard work that went into building our amazing New River Gorge Bridge. When it was completed in 1977, it was the longest steel single-span arch bridge and the highest vehicular bridge in the world. It’s no wonder we still celebrate this marvel every fall.

Another reason SustainU is the right company for Bridge Day shirts? The use of recycled materials in its clothing. One of West Virginia’s greatest assets is its abundant natural resources, and protecting and conserving them has become much more of a priority in the past decade. Bridge Day is serious about recycling. This is just another way to show it.

Want One?

SustainU will have three tents on Bridge Day. They will be offering short and long sleeve shirts and hoodies at these locations. Make sure you don’t wait to grab yours; shirts have sold out the past few years.

It’s also important to note that half the profits from the sales of the shirts will be donated to the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce. This helps them continue to make Bridge Day bigger and better every year.

Are you planning to pick up a shirt?

Tags: apparel, Bridge Day, merchandise, New River Gorge Bridge, recycling, SustainU, t-shirt, trip planning, West Virginia
Posted in Bridge Day Sponsors, Bridge Day Vendors, People of Bridge Day, Visitor Information | 2 Comments »

Taste of Bridge Day 2012

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

We’re looking forward to this year’s WOAY Taste of Bridge Day, and we hope you are too.

Last year’s event was pretty amazing, and we expect 2012 to be no different.

Sample plates at Taste of Bridge Day

Here’s the scoop: on Friday, October 19, join other Bridge Day faithful at Smokey’s on the Gorge from 5-9 pm. There, you can purchase tickets for small ‘tasting plates’ from vendors. Mingle, have a drink, and check out all the stations. It’s a lot of fun, and most of you’ll have the chance to catch up with old friends (or make some new ones).

The confirmed vendors for 2012 are:

ACE Adventure Center
Appalachian Coffee & More
Buffler’s
Boston Beanery
Chetty’s
Gumbo’s
Hawks Nest Restaurant
Longpoint Grille
Maloney’s
Mumsey’s Iron Skillet
New River Exxon
Smokey’s on the Gorge

Hope to see you there!

Tags: "bridge day food", Bridge Day, food, New River Gorge Bridge, smokey's on the gorge, taste of bridge day, West Virginia
Posted in Bridge Day Events, Bridge Day Vendors, Taste of Bridge Day, Visitor Information | No Comments »

Bridge Day 101: Everything You Need to Know

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Every October, for one Saturday, the New River Gorge Bridge is transformed into the site of West Virginia’s largest single day festival. For those of you Bridge Day first-timers, here’s the skinny on this wonderful fall event.

What is Bridge Day?

Bridge Day celebrates the New River Gorge Bridge, the area, and the fall season. Its humble beginnings were actually just a dedication ceremony for the Bridge on October 22, 1977. The public was allowed to walk on and view this magnificent structure and its beautiful surroundings. The turnout for the opening ceremony was much greater than anticipated. So a couple of years later, the first Bridge Day was born.

That year, 1980, 5,500 certificates were given to folks walking all the way across the Bridge. An estimated crowd of close to 40,000 people let the organizers know that this event could grow into something great. The rest, they say, is history.

A BASE jumper soars from the Bridge in 2011

When is Bridge Day?

Bridge Day happens every year on the third Saturday in October. The date was chosen to take advantage of the beauty of autumn in southern WV. The Bridge is constructed from Cor-Ten steel; it is designed to form a layer of rust as a protective barrier. This rust gives the Bridge a dark reddish-orange color that blends in wonderfully with the colors of the fall foliage.

What Is There To Do on Bridge Day?

Bridge Day celebrates its 33rd birthday this year, and it’s been evolving since the very beginning. There are plenty of things to see and do during Bridge Day. The only hard part may be deciding how you want to spend yours.

Bridge Day 2012 Happenings:

WOAY Taste of Bridge Day - This event takes place at Adventures On The Gorge the Friday before Bridge Day. It showcases cuisine from WV restaurants. Diners receive tickets that are good for ‘sampling’ plates from the many restaurants dishing up their specialties. The event is put on by local Rotary clubs and the proceeds benefit local charities.
BASE Jumping – Some 400+ BASE jumpers make the annual trip to the Bridge to take advantage of the only day of the year it’s legal to parachute there. In the past, the public has only been able to watch these jumpers. But now you can actually BE one of the jumpers. Tandem jumps are available to a few qualified individuals willing to pay for the experience.
High Line – A 700-foot slide down a rope from the Bridge to the side of the Gorge. Sound like fun? Trust us, it is. If you’re the adventurous type that wants to be one of the daredevils of Bridge Day, consider the High Line.
Rappelling – Another Bridge Day activity that is a crowd pleaser. Teams of 12-16 people can register to rappel the Bridge on Bridge Day. Registration records show that 1/3 of participants are first time rappellers. What a way to start your rappelling career!
And don’t forget about vendors on the Bridge selling food, crafts, and other items. We recommend the funnel cake.

For a different perspective, consider going down into the Gorge and watching the action from under the Bridge. There are two ways to get there: on foot or by shuttle.

The Town of Fayetteville also gets into the act, hosting a car show, street music, cornhole competition, Chili Cook-Off and other activities. Fayetteville is just a short distance from the Bridge.

Is Bridge Day 2012 going to be your first?

Tags: "bridge day food", BASE Jumping, Bridge Day, Bridge Day 2012, Festivals, funnel cake, New River Gorge Bridge, taste of bridge day, trip planning, under the bridge, West Virginia
Posted in Bridge Day Events, Bridge Day Vendors, Taste of Bridge Day, Visitor Information | 3 Comments »

Hungry? Our Five-Course, Bridge Day Inspired Meal

Friday, July 20th, 2012

The cuisine that “The Taste of Bridge Day” serves up the evening before Bridge Day is a wonderful contribution from area restaurants. It’s a nice addition to the World Famous Bridge Day festival for sure.

But there is just something about festival food that can’t be denied.You know, that sugary, sticky, and possibly greasy treat that isn’t good for you but tastes amazing? Whether it’s the atmosphere that makes those funnel cakes so delicious or the fact that you may only get to eat them once a year, it’s hard to say.

Beware: These are not the five food groups

No matter what the reason, there’s definitely something intensely desirable about festival food. We thought we would create our own 5-course Bridge Day feast to get you thinking about what you’ll eat when you’re on the Bridge this year.

For Starters

Right out of the gate, a big pretzel makes a great first food. Easy to handle and share, it is definitely a good appetizer for one (or more). This perfect doughy, salty treat can be made even better with dips. We’re talking butter garlic or nacho cheese. And you can’t go wrong with the classic mustard.

Moving On

As a second course (and palette cleanser), we suggest a caramel apple. Oh yes. The tart, juicy apple and sweet caramel will contrast very well with the salty tang of the first course pretzel. Plus, it won’t hurt to have the 4-5 grams of fiber the apple offers to help balance out this meal. Can caramel apples be classified as a health food?

Getting Into It

Onto the third course, where this Bridge Day feast gets serious. This is the course where we suggest a hearty bite to help you power through the other courses. The BBQ sandwich has a real WV feel and great smoked barbeque should be experienced by everyone.

A big sandwich, piled high with delectable smoked pork, smothered in a tangy sauce and heaped with cole slaw makes for great Bridge Day fare.

Just For Kicks

As a fourth course and “after dinner” snack, we cannot resist that perennial festival favorite: funnel cake. This fried delight is a must have for any festival or fair. The deep fried batter treat has its origins with our neighbors to the north, the Pennsylvania Dutch. We will take ours in the traditional style; with a sprinkle of powdered sugar. But feel free to jazz yours up anyway you see fit.

For Dessert

After a meal that includes a caramel apple and a funnel cake, it may not seem like dessert is necessary. Au contraire; this isn’t a normal meal. This is a feast fit for one of the world’s largest and highest bridges, and hey, it’s a festival.

So, with that in mind, we figure that a deep fried Twinkie is the way to end our Bridge Day meal. Yes, a cream filled sponge cake is good, but we know it can be better. How? Yep, batter-dip it and drop it in some hot oil. Delicious!

So there’s our Bridge Day feast. Yes, it may not be a balanced meal including the five food groups, but that wasn’t the goal. Sometimes you’ve just got to splurge. Right?

What does your ultimate Bridge Day Feast include?

Tags: "bridge day food", bbq sandwich, Bridge Day, caramel apple, deep fried twinkie, family memories, Festivals, food, fun stuff, funnel cake, New River Gorge Bridge, pretzel, West Virginia
Posted in Bridge Day Vendors, Taste of Bridge Day, Visitor Information | No Comments »

Bridge Day – Five Days and Counting…

Monday, October 10th, 2011

Five days and counting until Bridge Day 2011. And what’s our office like? CRAZY!

Although we work all year long to get ready for Bridge Day, these last two weeks are crunch time. Not a problem for the Bridge Day Team. That’s life and it makes things interesting.

The most interesting question so far? “Are horses allowed under the Bridge?” We love animals as much as you do. Dogs, cats, and horses. But not on Bridge Day. With all the people in attendance, it’s just not the right time to introduce your pet to the beauty of the Gorge.

Posters are ready to go!

Vendors

At this point we have our vendors lined up and are happy to say that we have more vendors this year than at any time since 9/11. It takes some planning to make sure everyone has the right booth and all the food vendors have their health permit. Martha and Sharon have been working their tails off. Make sure and come hungry, as we have some great food vendors!

Sponsors

And great sponsors! Subaru is on board again as our presenting sponsor and will be previewing the NEW Subaru 2012 Impreza. You will also enter the Bridge through Red Bull arches at each end of the Bridge this year.

So what else keeps us busy? Answering questions from media that want to cover Bridge Day. We love this part because it gives us chances to showcase the New River Gorge and that is our job. This is the opportunity for the New River Gorge, and hopefully the sun, to shine.

What else would you see if you were a fly on our walls?

• Lights on the phone bank flashing.

• Stacks of the 2011 Bridge Day posters waiting for Ginger Danz to sign in the Bridge Day tent on the south side.

• A picture of the Bridge with cut-out witches placed strategically on it. Don’t ask.

• Stacks of signs and corners filled with flags to mark the bus routes & parking areas.

• Orange and green vests for the volunteers that answer questions & give directions.

• The GEICO Gecko. Okay, not really, but he will be at Bridge Day

• Pop-up tents and recycle bins ready to make their way to the Bridge.

• Boxes of Official Bridge Day shirts from Sustain U.

We have a big Bridge, and I think we need a bigger office. See you at Bridge Day!

Tags: "bridge day food", Bridge Day, bridge day weather, Festivals, food, getting ready, New River Gorge Bridge, subaru, West Virginia
Posted in Bridge Day Vendors, Visitor Information | 6 Comments »

Five Presents to Remind You of Bridge Day

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Now that black Friday has come and gone, many of us need to get down to business on our holiday shopping. You can purchase Bridge Day souvenirs online including t-shirts and more for stocking stuffers. Here are some other gift-giving ideas that may make you think of Bridge Day.

Santa Loves Bridge Day Too!

1) Gauley River Pottery
John and Mary discovered the true beauty of almost heaven on the banks of the New River and Gauley River. Living and working in the whitewater industry opened their eyes wide to the fluid works of nature. It seems only logical that they made the transition from whitewater to pottery. And now their Gauley inspired creations are available online!

2) Wonderful WV or Goldenseal Magazines
If you can’t be here this winter, why not start dreaming of your next trip on the pages of the state’s longest running magazines.

3) West Virginia Books
Some would say reading about the Mountain State is the next best thing to being there. Check out the WVU Press collection of works including those on coal history, fiction, Appalachian history to scholarly journals.

4) A Family Portrait
It wouldn’t the holidays if we didn’t receive one of those Christmas cards with the family beach portrait. No offense to Myrtle or Miami, but West Virginia has some stunning views that offer all-natural, and often snow-filled backdrop. Some phenomenal portrait artists abound in southern WV, many who specialize in outdoor shots.

5) A Trip to a State Park
Have a friend with a new RV? Know someone who comes to Pipestem or Hawk’s Nest every year? Why not surprise them with a West Virginia State Parks gift certificate. Good thing is, they can use them anywhere if they want to try a new park on for size.

The countdown is on.

Tags: bridge day gifts, christmas ideas
Posted in Bridge Day Vendors | No Comments »

Prepping for Bridge Day – Funnel Cake Madness

Wednesday, October 13th, 2010

For a professional vendor, preparation for a major event starts several months in advance.

Applications, paperwork and phone calls to the local Health Department and Fire Marshall. It’s all important.

Bridge Day Funnel Cakes

So far this year, I’ve been in 21 states and I can speak from experience that nothing is worse than setting up at an event, only to be shut down because regulations were not met.

Once I jump through those hoops, I’m pretty much ready until the week of the show.

Travel arrangements, scheduling of labor and more go into the long-range plan. Due to the security requirements at Bridge Day, my work-crew was set months in advance.

The Week Of
Once event week rolls around, Monday and Tuesday is usually spent working with equipment.

In my case, fryers are cleaned, tables, table skirts and table cloths are packed.

For this event, we will use one commercial fryer and one 70 lb fryer. That way, if needed, I can produce approximately 8 funnel cakes per minute. Did I mention I make funnel cakes?

Wednesday, I make a supply run. Funnel cake mix, lemons (we also make fresh squeezed lemonade) and sugar for lemonade. Cups, plates, napkins, oil for the fryers, and powdered sugar, are all checked off the list.

For a one-day event like Bridge Day in West Virginia I’ll pack and load on Thursday. Here is a sample pack-list of items which I load onto my truck and trailer.

Fryers
Propane tanks
Tables
Water containers
Hose for refilling water containers
Wood wedges in case my fryers are set on uneven ground
Tent and banners
Cups, lids, straws, plates, napkins and other utensils needed
Lemons, sugar and a juicers for lemonade
Batter mix, buckets or mixing bowls and a mixers for funnel cakes
Powdered sugar and a sifter
Tubs for washing dishes, rinsing dishes and sanitizing dishes plus hand washing facilities
Trash cans with liners

Leading up to the event I like to mention the event on my blog (yes, I make funnel cakes AND blog!), make daily mentions on Twitter and Facebook the week of the event, and hourly tweets the day of.

This not only helps my business but also promotes the event. If an event is successful, I’ll will be successful as well and anything I can do to bring more people in is well worth my time and efforts.

The Day Of
I always get to my event early. Not only to set up my space and be ready for customers, but I also like to familiarize myself with other vendors and their locations. If someone asks where they can find hot dogs, I like knowing where to send them. (I also kinda like hot dogs!)

Beyond that, just pray for good weather. In my years of experience, bad weather is just about the only thing that can ruin a day.

Looking forward to meeting some new friends and having plenty of fun.

Special Guest Post By:

Chillie Falls of the Big Red Funnel Cake Trailer.

Tags: food, funnel cake, vendor, vendors
Posted in Bridge Day Vendors, Visitor Information | No Comments »

The Greening of Bridge Day

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

It’s that time of year again. Leaves are turning from green to red and yellow in the New River Gorge and preparations are in full swing for West Virginia’s largest single day event as Bridge Day 2010 is just a few days away.

Bridge Day Vendors

Hundreds of BASE jumpers and nearly 80,000 spectators are expected to attend this year’s Bridge Day. Yes, 80,000 spectators!

That means our town is about to go from a population of 2,800 to 80,000! That’s a big change.

Most people here love the fact that this many people are coming to experience our community, the New River Gorge National River, and catch a glimpse of some people hucking themselves off a really big, high bridge. That many people in one place can have a considerable impact on our local environment and the lives of people who live here too.

The Bridge Day Planning Committee, Travel Green Appalachia and the Fayette County Green Team are interested in doing what they can to make the event greener. Here are a few things you can do to help.

Some Helpful Information

Sustain U

Friday night head to Taste of Bridge Day. All proceeds support local charities and you’ll get to sample spectacular cuisine from some of our best local restaurants.
Recycling – look for recycling bins to recycle your plastic and cans. The Green Team will be gathering cardboard from vendors.
For just the second year, you can take home an Official Bridge Day shirt made of 100% recycled materials. The shirts are produced by the West Virginia-based company SustainU. This shirt, using the “Green Bridge Day Label,” consists of 100% recycled material, all made in the USA.

Some of Our Green Vendors

Stanley Legendary Vacuum Bottles

Garden Sass – south booth 154 using recycled and compostable products,
Stanley Legendary Vacuum Bottles – south booth 139 & 140 selling reusable bottles that will come with a coupon for free coffee
The Fayette County Green Advisory Team – south booth 60
Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition – south booth 61
Others I’ve missed? Quite possibly. Look for recycled, organic, and compostable products and ask about their sustainability policy

What You Can Do

Getting here produces a lot of CO2. Low-impact travel options include hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles, carpooling, Amtrak (the Thurmond depot is ~15 miles from Fayetteville), and carbon offsets. Check out the Getting There Greener report.
Buy local. Come on into Fayetteville to sample some of our awesome local restaurants and buy a locally made souvenir before, during, or after the event. According the the 350 Project, for every $100 spent in locally owned, independent stores, $68 returns to the local economy through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures, if you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays in the local economy.
Bring a mug – cut down on waste by bringing your own reusable water bottle and coffee mug. If you forget yours, buy a Kleen Kanteen at Waterstone and a coffee mug at Wildflour Bakery or Cathedral Cafe
Give back – donate to local organizations that are working to improve their community. Look for the Green Advisory Team, New River Gorge Learning Coop, and Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition booths
Ask service providers about their sustainability policy.

Most of all enjoy your experience in this wonderful part of the world. For more on Green Travel, please visitTravel Green Appalachia. If you want to learn more about the greening of Bridge Day or have ideas for next year, please leave a comment or stop by the Fayette County Green Advisory Team booth.