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Upcoming Events
West Virginia Division of Culture and History Listening Tour
September 9, 2010 more >>
New River Gorge Area Events
Mix it up!
You can come to the New River Gorge for some adventure. And then you can come for some adventure and a big celebration. We have them all year long. The only question is this:
Which ones will you come to?
Seasonal Events
Since we have 4 distinct seasons here in the gorge, we feel the need to celebrate. A lot. Our events aren't always tied to a season, but the weather around here is so distinctly awesome, they might as well be.
Spring is renewal, getting outside, and doing what we love best: enjoying the gorge. Summer is an invitation for everyone to come up and enjoy (and we're within a day's drive of 50% of the population). Fall doesn't get much better than the New River Gorge. When the leaves turn, it's time to celebrate again. Maybe that's why we host West Virginia's biggest one day festival.
Bridge Day
Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event in the world. It's amazing. Trust us.
Bridge Day is held on the third Saturday in October every year in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Hundreds of BASE jumpers and nearly 100,000 spectators are expected to attend this year's Bridge Day. The New River Gorge Bridge is 876' tall and the world's second longest single arch bridge.
Who wouldn't want to see someone jump off it?
August 2010 Events
<< previous month - next month >Captain Thurmond's Challenge
August 7, 2010
The 15th annual Captain Thurmond’s Challenge will once again be staged in historic downtown Fayetteville, WV and throughout the New River Gorge. The Challenge has evolved from a triathlon to a multi-event festival including a 5k race, Kids' Challenge and Kids' Races.
About the Triathalon
The Captain Thurmond's Challenge Triathalon consists of 28.5 miles of the most extreme whitewater, mountain biking and running in the state and the East Coast. The triathlon can be done as a relay team, solo, or raft team. If you're looking for teammates, contact us and we'll help you get a team together.
Bike
The 12 mile bike leg begins with a Lemans start at the Historic Fayette County Courthouse, and leads to Cunard on singletrack trails along the ridge lines of the New River George.
Paddle
The 8 mile watercraft leg proceeds from Cunard to Fayette Station through Class III and IV rapids. Raft teams as well as individual paddlers are welcome.
Run
The steep 8.5 mile run tests the athletes' endurance going up and out of the gorge. The running leg begins at Fayette Station and finishes at the Fayette County Courthouse.
Youth Events
Kids' races will be held after the Captain Thurmond's start. Shorter races are offered for the youngest athletes with race lengths increasing for every age category. There will be a lot of activites for all ages including inflatable bouncers on the courthouse lawn. Spend the day in town while waiting for the racers to come in.
Register Today
New River Hummingbird Festival
August 13, 2010 - August 15, 2010New River Hummingbird Festival
An exciting family-oriented three-day festival offering an array of birding and nature presentations, destined to be a real crowd-pleaser. The New River Hummingbird Festival is an outreach program of New River Birding & Nature Center at Wolf Creek Park in Fayette County WV, born of the internationally acclaimed New River Birding & Nature Festival.
Bill Hilton Jr., Hummingbird expert, Consulting Director of New River Birding & Nature Center, and cited by Discover magazine as one of “50 Best Brains in Science” , will lead the presentations.
The festival is being held on the Blackberry Site at ACE Adventure Resort in Minden, WV (near Oak Hill) in Fayette County. From US RT 19, take the Main Street Exit in Oak Hill. Take the first left (across from the Little General – BP Gas Station) onto Minden Rd. At mile 2.9 turn left at the ACE Adventure Center entrance and stop by the ACE Welcome Center.
Friday, August 13
• 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Hummingbird Workshop on hummingbird natural history from feeding to nesting to migration; observing and photographing hummingbird behavior; designing a hummingbird habitat; attracting and caring for hummingbirds in your own backyard, schoolyard or nature center; reporting hummingbird observations via EarthTrek and The GLOBE Program; using hummingbirds as a teaching tool; banding hummingbirds; etc.(Advance reservation required; limited to 20 guests, ages 16 and up; $20 fee; lunch provided. Dave: 304-574-4258, goshawk@birding-wv.com)
• 7 – 9 pm Presentation: “Ruby-throated Hummingbirds: From Your Yard to Costa Rica . . . and Back!” (free and open to the public; recommended audience ages 12 and up)
Saturday, August 14
• 9 am – 5 pm Hummingbird banding demonstrations, vendors, exhibits (free and open to the public; all ages)Sunday, August 15
• 9 am – 3 pm Hummingbird banding demonstrations, vendors, exhibits (free and open to the public; all ages)A New River Celebration
August 16, 2010ACE New River Bike Fest
August 22, 2010August 22, 2010
The beautiful New River Gorge and ACE Adventure Resort combine to create some of the most scenic and hard-core mountain biking in the state. Come see why serious bikers (and some not so serious) make Southern West Virginia their destination for breathtaking trails. Join us for the 10th annual ACE New River Bike Fest! As a bonus for families, the Bike Fest offers something for all ages. After the big kids hit the trail for the big ride, the little kids can participate in a race designed especially for them. Six to twelve-year-olds will navigate several short, youngster friendly loops against other aspiring racers of their own age. So bring the whole gang for the adult competition, the children’s ride, or both! The fun need not end at the conclusion of the race. Feel free to visit the Lost Paddle Bar and Grill to swap tall tales and enjoy a large variety of cold beverages. Dinner is also available at our full-service dining lodge.
As always, camping is free for all racers, but don’t forget our more plush lodging opportunities. Cabins and chalets go quickly, so make reservations early! Be sure to look around and see what activities are available for you and your family and friends. Lakeside Dining, the Lost Paddle Bar & Grill, the adventure play park on the lake, and lots more!
ACE is proud to once again host the New River Bike Fest, and we hope you’ll join us for another exciting weekend of competition, food, and fun. Good Luck! 2010 Race Itinerary – ACE New River Bike Fest
Schedule (SAT 8/21)
All Day - XC Race Course open for practice Race Day
(SUN 8/22)
Minden Mudfest XC Circuit Race
8am to 10am
On-Site Registration & Packet Pickup
10:30am - PreRace Meeting
11:00am - XC Circuit Race Start
1pm to 3pm – On-site FREE Burrito Lunch for XC Circuit Racers ($5 per person for all others)
3:00pm - Awards Ceremony (approximate time)
Kid's Fun MTB Race:
11:00am - Kid's Race Registration (for ages 6-12, FREE)
11:30am - Kid's Race Start
12:30pm - Kid's Race Awards Ceremony (medals awarded to all kid's)
General Race Description & Plan:
XC Circuit: WVMBA classes apply Course: beginner, jr 14 & under – 1 8-mile lap Course: sport, clydesdale, high school – 1 13-mile lap Course: pro, expert, single speed – 2 13-mile laps Awards: cash for Pro/Expert, Expert Vet, Expert Mst, Single Speed Awards: prize table for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place in all other divisions Kid's Fun MTB Race:Age Categories: 6 & under, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12 Awards: Medals to all participants Registration Fees: XC Circuit Race - Junior & Beginner: $20 XC Circuit Race - All Others: $30 Kid's Fun MTB Race - FREE Non-WVMBA Members: add $5 8-18-06 Deadline on Refunds New River Bike Festival Registration Form
12th Annual Oak Leaf Festival
August 28, 2010 -
September 5, 2010
Saturday August 28
7:00 PM Miss Oak Leaf/Miss Teen Pageant - OHHS Auditorium
Depot Days at the Lewis Center. Free admission.
Sunday August 29
2:00 PM Kids Pageant - OHHS Auditorium
Depot Days at the Lewis Center. Free admission.
Wednesday September 1
7:00 -9:00 PM Gospel Sing - Church of the Nazarene
Thursday September 2
7:00 - 9:30 PM Talent Show
Friday September 3
7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Country Night
Saturday September 4
All day - Carr's Amusements - City Parking Lot- Chase Bank
Fun Factory Inflatables - City Parking Lot - Chase Bank
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Oak Leaf Indoor Flae Market - Lewis Community Center
8:00 AM - Oak Leaf 5K Run -Blackburn Building across from Plateau Medical Center
10:00 AM - Rasing of the flag & National Anthem - BB&T Main Street
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Art Show - Brethren Fellowship Center, Central Avenue
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Craft & Food vendors - Downtown, Main Street
11:00 AM - Oak Leaf Parade - Main Street
Noon - 4:00 PM West Virginia's Firefighter's Weekend- Collins Football Field
Noon - 2:00 PM Plateau Medical Center Health Fair - Lewis House Lawn
Noon - 4:00 PM Quilt Show - Lewis House
Noon - 4:00 PM Photography Exhibit-Lewis House
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM Cruise-In & Street Dance The Esquires
Sunday September 5
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Music by River Chase - OHHS
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Car and Bike show - OHHS
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM 1st Annual Oak Leaf Harvest Pumpkin Festival- OHHS
6:00 PM - 8:30 PM Chili Cook-off - Fayette Institute of Technology
8:30 PM Fireworks Display - OHHS
Miss Oak Leaf/Bridge Day Pageant
August 28, 2010 - August 29, 20102010 Oak Leaf Festival / Bridge Day Pageant
Saturday, August 28, 2010 - Teen / Miss Pageant
Sunday, August 29, 2010 - Children's Pageant
Both pageants will be held at Oak Hill High School Auditorium
For any questions please call 304-228-7129. More information is also available at www.missoakleaffestival.com
A Night at the Races
August 28, 2010Presented by the Oak Hill Lions Club at the White Oak Country Club (doors opening at 5:30PM).
$30/Person - Tables of 4 or 8 can be reserved at Corder's Jewelry, Curves, Fayco Lumber, New River Vision Care or by calling 465-8140. Food, drinks and many chances to win door prizes are included with each ticket.
For $10 you can 'buy' and name a horse to run in one of ten races. The owner of the winning horse will receive $40 cash--horse owners need not be present to win.
Deadline for buying horses is August 21st. There are only 100 horses so act quickly!
Betting tables will be open during the event to place bets on any of the races for a chance to win cash prizes.
