Gauley Fest, September 18th - 21st 2025
American Whitewater's Biggest Public Outreach Event is on the schedule for 2025!
All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater's river conservation and access work throughout the nation. Started in 1983 to celebrate the derailment of a hydro-electric project that would have disrupted the flows on the Gauley River, Gauley Fest has grown to become the largest paddling festival in the world.
The festival is a showcase for American Whitewater and the top whitewater vendors in the boating community. The festival will feature live entertainment, a whitewater marketplace, raffle, and a silent auction where you can pick up some awesome outdoor gear. Come out and join us for a weekend of great paddling, exciting camaraderie, live entertainment, killer boat raffles, and the infamous silent auction.
This year we are excited to announce that we will showcase a Bridal Party Theme. Attendees will have a chance to renew their vows to American Whitewater with membership support and receive a commemorative token. Whether you choose to dress up as a bride, groom, wedding officiant, flower girl/boy, or a bridesmaid/groomsman, you’ll be in the running to win our costume party on Saturday night. We’re excited to see you all show up rocking those 70s tuxedos and wedding dresses!
Interested in volunteering at Gauley Fest? Sign up here https://www.tfaforms.com/5146426
Interested in a Vendor Booth at Gauley Fest? Register here: https://store.americanwhitewater.org/products/gauley-festival-booth-spaces-registration
2024 Tentative Festival Schedule (firm schedule will be released in July):
Nicholas County Veterans Memorial Park, Summersville, WV
Thursday, September 18, 2025
- 10:00 AM Vendor & Volunteer Registration Opens
- 12:00 PM Festival Campground Opens
- 12:00 AM Quiet Hours Begin(family campsites located behind cabins near main entrance)
Friday, September 19, 2025
- 6:00 AM Gauley River Release
- 8:00 AM Vendor & Volunteer Registration Opens
- 5:00 PM Festival Marketplace Opens
- 7:00 PM No more vehicle access to the inner festival grounds permitted for the night (visitors and campers must walk from parking area)
- 9:00 PM - 11:30 PM Dance Party
- 12:00 AM Quiet Hours Begin (family campsites located behind cabins near main entrance)
Saturday, September 20, 2025
- 6:00 AM Gauley River Release
- 8:00 AM Volunteer Registration Opens
- 8:00 AM 4-H Breakfast at the Dining Hall Opens
- 2:00 PM Festival Marketplace Opens
- 5:00 PM AW Silent Auction Opens
- 7:00 PM No more vehicle access to the inner festival grounds permitted for the night (visitors and campers must walk from parking area)
- 7:00 PM to 10 PM Live Music
- 10:00 PM AW Membership Drive Closes
- 10:00 PM Silent Auction Closes
- 10:15 PM Raffle Drawings
- 11:00 PM to Midnight Live Music
- 12:00 AM Quiet Hours Begin (family campsites located behind cabins near main entrance)
Sunday September 21, 2025
- 6:00 AM Gauley River Release
- 8:00 AM 4-H Breakfast at Dining Hall Opens
- 9:00 AM Festival Breakdown and Cleanup Begin (please pitch in and fill a trash bag to help show the community we care)
- 11:00 AM Camping and Vehicle Parking On Site Ends
Online tickets are available for 2025!
Tickets are:
$60 for Thursday Entrance (for Th/Fr/Sat camping and admission)
$50 for Friday Entrance (for Fr/Sat camping and admission)
$40 for Saturday Entrance (for Th/Fr/Sat camping and admission)
Dogs are discouraged from attending but if they choose to go anyway, pet entrance is $20
Ticket sales will go up in early September by $5, so grab your tickets early!
