Its not everyday you see people rappelling off the side of the Sun Trust building downtown.
Thursday's Over the Edge event kicked off RiverRocks 10 day festival. The festival benefits RiverRock, 8 local land trust services and the local boy scouts. Mike McGauley, RiverRocks Co-Founder said, "The boy scouts brought this idea to us. It fits perfectly with RiverRocks which is made up with a lot of adventure sports. Rock climbing and boldering is part of that, and kayaking and stand up paddle board."
After some training, the rappellers descended 280 feet til they reached the bottom. A bride took the plunge just two days before her wedding day. Meredith Lewallen, Bride-to-be Rappeller said, "I really wasn't scared at all. I thought I would get a little bit of adrenaline a little bit of fear, but none what so ever. Mostly just excited. The crew for over the edge was great. Very positive, got me pumped up." Lewallen even wore a wedding dress while she repelled, but it wasn't hers. A boutique actually donated one to her. She said after hearing screams from friends and family below she was ready to go.
The rappellers had to raise a minimum of 1-thousand-dollars to participate. The event looks to raise between 50 and 60 thousand dollars. For more information on RiverRock events visit their website:
http://www.riverrockschattanooga.com/events
