Sept. 16, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caryn Gresham
304-558-2288, ext. 347
cgresham@callwva.com

West Virginia’s annual end-of-summer rafting season, Gauley Season, began this past weekend and will run through Oct. 17. Rafting aficionados say great whitewater levels await those who head to southern West Virginia for the fun.

The 2004 Gauley Season began Sept. 10. The season continues on Friday through Monday weekends until Oct. 11 and will conclude with Saturday and Sunday rafting Oct. 16 and 17 during the 25th annual Bridge Day celebration in Fayetteville.

“Gauley Season is an annual celebration of whitewater rafting at its most exciting,” said Eric Pories, executive director of the West Virginia Professional River Outfitters. “The event brings thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts to the Gauley River National Recreation Area for whitewater rafting, kayaking and canoeing.”

While the Gauley River experience is the number one reason to visit the southern West Virginia area, there are plenty of other activities in the region to give visitors other reasons to stay. The Gauley River National Recreation Area is well known for mountain climbing, hiking and mountain biking activities.

The New River Gorge National River offers visitors another rafting adventure. Its 70,000 acres provide fishing, photography, bird watching and horseback riding and countless other outdoor activities.

For visitors looking for different activities, the area includes Tamarack, a first-of-its-kind artisan center featuring the works of juried West Virginia artisans and offering a buffet restaurant run by chefs from The Greenbrier Resort. Discover the history of the area with visits to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine or at the New River Gorge Visitors Center near Fayetteville.

Gauley Fest in Summersville bills itself as “the paddling world’s biggest party” and Bridge Day, Oct. 16, is one of the largest festivals in the state. This annual event, which gives BASE jumpers the opportunity to leap from the bridge to the river more than 800 feet below, includes a Taste of Fayetteville on Oct. 15 and a hometown street fair in Fayetteville on Oct. 16.

“Many of the licensed outfitters in the area offer great Gauley whitewater rafting packages and Bridge Day specials,” Pories said. “Some of these all-inclusive packages include lodging and activities in addition to the rafting trips."

For details on Gauley Season and information on special events and reservations, contact the West Virginia Division of Tourism at 1-800-CALL WVA, www.callwva.com or visit www.AmericasBestWhitewater.com.

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West Virginia Division of Tourism • 90 MacCorkle Ave., SW • South Charleston, WV 25303

304-558-2200 or 1-800-CALL-WVA • FAX: 304-558-2459 • www.callwvanews.com