To commemorate the 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats that roost under Austin’s Congress Avenue Bridge from April through November, Austinites will celebrate the inaugural Night of the Bat on June 6. The family-friendly event is hosted by the City of Austin, Downtown Austin Alliance, Paramount Theatre, Run-Tex, Bat Conservation International and the Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau. It will include a lineup of festivities including a film screening of “Batman” at the Paramount Theatre with special guest Adam West, who played the original Batman character on television.
In addition, there will be a 5K Bat Run/Walk, a free live music performance on Congress Avenue Bridge and the chance to see the world’s largest urban bat colony take flight at dusk.
“The bats are one of the most unique tourist attractions in Austin,” said Bob Lander, president and CEO of the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It is estimated that more than 125,000 people visit the bridge each year to witness the bat flight, which generates an estimated $12 million in tourism revenue. The bats are family-friendly, free and just another example of what makes Austin a one-of-a-kind destination.”
Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau
www.austintexas.org
