See 'Batman' and Other Winged Creatures at Night of the Bat

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Night of the Bat Logo

Every summer night, hundreds of people gather to see the world's largest urban bat colony emerge from under the Congress Avenue Bridge in downtown Austin. Approximately 1.5 million Mexican freetail bats reside in this mostly female colony, until early June when each one gives birth to a single pup. On their nightly flight out from under the bridge, the Austin bats eat from 10,000 to 20,000 pounds of insects, including agricultural pests. Recognizing the benefits of these gentle animals, the City of Austin has adopted the bat as its official animal, and is hosting its first ever city-sponsored family event "Night of the Bat" to celebrate these furry and fanged flyers.

Night of the Bat kicks off on Sunday, June 6 at 2 pm with a matinee screening of the original classic film Batman (1966), featuring the Batmobile and special guest and original Batman Adam West, who will introduce the film and host a Q&A. Batman made its world premiere at the Paramount Theatre forty years ago -- and a few months after the TV series debut. As a child of the '60s I watched re-runs of Batman religiously, although I thought that Batman was overly bossy towards quasi-hearthrob Robin. Hard to believe that Adam West is 81 years old, and still making appearances -- so don't miss this chance!

A special "Battini" cocktail will be available at the Paramount bar, and Bat Conservation International will have live bats and educational materials. Tickets are available to the general public through the Paramount's website.  

Festivities continue after the film ends over at the Hyatt Regency Austin with the Fang-tastic Family Fest, which will feature face painting, carnival food and entertainment by the Biscuit Brothers, Joe McDermott, and one of my personal local entertainment acts, Circus Chicken Dog. At dusk everyone is invited to proceed to the Congress Avenue Bridge to watch the bats fly, followed by a bat-inspired aerial performance by Blue Lapis Light on the Hyatt Regency. 

For more information including a complete schedule of the day's events, visit the Night of the Bat website.