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THEREGISTER HERALDSunday, October 20, 2013 Beckley, West Virginia ◆ Single copy: $1.50

Volume 134Number 123

BRIDGE . . . . . . . . 10E

CALENDAR . . . . . . . 7A

CLASSIFIED . . . . 4C-8C

COMICS. . . . . . INSIDE

DEAR ABBY . . . . . . 4E

DEATHS . . . . . . . . . 6A

HISTORY. . . . . . . . . 6E

HOROSCOPES . . . . 12E

NEWS OF RECORD . 8A

OPINION . . . . . . . . . 4A

SPORTS . . . . . . 1D-8D

STATE & REGION . . 3A

STOCKS . . . . . . 3B-4B

TELEVISION. . . . . . . 7B

INSIDE TODAY

Sunny.

High 56. Low 38.Details, Page 8A

WEATHER

B R I D G E D A Y 2 0 1 3

By Bruce SchreinerASSOCIATED PRESS

CHARLESTON — West Vir-ginia’s expansive system ofstate parks draws big crowdslooking to unwind or play in itsmountains, rivers and lakes,but the eye-catching scenery is

mixed with structures showingsigns of decline.

State lawmakers preparingfor the 2014 legislative sessionare looking at funding optionsfor the upkeep of a network of35 parks, seven forests, fivewildlife management areasand two rail trails that attract-

ed more than 6.6 million visitslast year.

One option that a top law-maker would like to avoid isassessing a fee to enter thestate parks.

The parks are an economicforce, generating $127 millionof economic activity. The out-

door activities including hikingand biking let West Virginianswork up a sweat in a statestruggling with one of the na-tion’s highest obesity rates.

Nearly 200 of the park sys-tem’s almost 1,500 buildingsare 75 years or older, Depres-sion-era structures included in

the backlog of needed repairs.A legislative audit recom-mended infusing at least $3million each year for major re-pairs to chip away at mainte-nance and renovations that to-tal tens of millions of dollars.

Videos from Bridge Day

State lawmakers review funding needs for W.Va. parks■ AGING FACILITIES IN NEED OF RENOVATION

See PARKS, 8A

Freefalls, families and deep-fried fun34th annual festivalis a success with only a few injuriesand a new recordBy Brandi UnderwoodREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

Extreme sports, deep-fried Oreos, cell-phone selfies and family bonding may notalways blend harmoniously, but at Satur-day’s Bridge Day festival, these compo-nents merged seamlessly to pass theevent’s 34th successful year.

Bridge Day has come a long way sinceits inauguration in 1980. In its first year,two parachutists jumped from a plane on-to the bridge, and a mere five BASEjumpers leaped from the bridge into thegorge, according to the official Bridge Daywebsite. Back then, certificates were dis-tributed to the people who showed up towatch the action and walk the 3,030-footlength of the bridge. To a crowd of 5,500,that was feasible. Now catering to a crowdof more than 70,000, certificates are nolonger awarded. However, people havefound new ways to commemorate the day.

DeLynn and Doug Davis, of Charleston,visited Bridge Day for the first time in 22years Saturday.

“It’s amazing how much it’s changed,”said Doug. “It’s become a lot more com-mercialized.”

Standing 876 feet above the ground, thecouple snapped a photo of themselves onthe bridge to send to their children. As re-cent empty nesters, DeLynn said theywant to prove to their kids that they couldstill have fun without them.

“Look, mom and dad still have a life,”DeLynn joked.

With more than 100 vendors, BridgeDay now offers something for everyone.From household goods to a turn on atrampoline, people can take away sou-venirs of both the tangible and intangiblevarieties.

Eight-year-old Elisha Tabit, of Fayet-teville, caught some major air and per-formed a few backflips of his own on theFun Factory’s bungee trampoline.

“You feel like you don’t weigh

It’s an event made fordaredevils ...By Wendy HoldrenREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

“What’s the worst thatcould happen?” a New Yorkskydiver asked his buddy be-fore getting ready to leap offthe New River Gorge Bridgeduring the 34th annualBridge Day.

Hundreds of daredevilsfrom all over the world suitedup Saturday, many for theirfirst ever BASE jump.

One of the first-timers,Evalina Turpin, of Canada,said her first jump was“amazing.”

She hit the water, but shesaid that was her goal since itwas her first BASE jump:“Better to be safe than sorry,”she said.

... and theirloved onesBy Wendy HoldrenREGISTER-HERALD REPORTER

Bridge Day was a great daynot only for jumpers, but forfamilies as well, including atleast one father and son BASEjumping team and one nervousmother whose daughter wasjumping for the first time.

Ruth Leventry’s 26-year-olddaughter, Lisa, took her firsttandem BASE jump Saturday.

“She’s never even been sky-diving!” her nervous mothersaid. “Her instructor is sup-posed to be a top-of-the-lineinstructor though.”

More photosPicture page on 1C and photos throughoutthis section.

F. BRIAN FERGUSON/THE REGISTER-HERALD (3)

Visitors make the walk to the New River Gorge Bridge ... a BASE jumper hangs suspended in a foggy gorge ... big screens showed viewers a live-action vicarious thrill.

CHRIS TILLEY/FOR THE REGISTER-HERALD

Almost dry: A jumper sets down in the New River just shy of the landing area.

See DAREDEVILS, 8A

See FAMILIES, 8A See FESTIVAL, 2A

register-herald.comWatch online

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