West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced that the state will extend its donor agreement with the National Park Service to ensure that New River Gorge National Park and Preserve remains open for Bridge Day, despite a federal government shutdown. The agreement will also keep Harpers Ferry National Historical Park operational during this period.
Governor Morrisey emphasized the importance of Bridge Day for the local economy, stating, “Folks across West Virginia look forward to Bridge Day every year. It’s important for many of our small businesses in Southern West Virginia to have a successful Bridge Day. We’re working with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that the festivities move forward without a hitch.”
At a press conference, Morrisey was joined by tourism industry leaders and business owners to discuss the economic significance of Bridge Day and the state’s national parks.
Becky Sullivan, Director of New River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau, highlighted the festival’s impact: “Bridge Day has a huge economic impact on Fayette County and our surrounding region. The entire New River Gorge region benefits from Bridge Day. It is a huge event for our state. It is a huge event for our area, so I would just really like to extend my thank you to Chelsea Ruby, the Secretary [of Tourism], and Governor Morrisey for this opportunity to continue with our plans for Bridge Day and showcase our little corner of Almost Heaven West Virginia.”
Tom Wagner, Marketing Director for Adventures on the Gorge, noted that visitors travel from across the country for Bridge Day: “We get travelers from around the country that come just for Bridge Day to raft with us and to stay with us. And also what we have is a combination of Gauley Season and the last week of the releases. So what you’ve got is two fabulous days here in West Virginia, which are like nowhere else in the country, and they bring visitors from all over. I can’t express enough our gratitude for the Governor to make sure that Bridge Day is happening this year and the parks are staying open, and it truly shows the future of West Virginia’s economy and what can be done when we all work together.”
The announcement comes as state officials seek to minimize disruptions caused by a federal government shutdown and support tourism in Southern West Virginia.
