Signs of the Congress Avenue Bridge bats are all over the city. Their presence has stretched far beyond their perch below the bridge to statues, t-shirts and even an entire festival.
Since so many people come to visit the bats every year Roadway Productions decided to make an entire day dedicated to Austin’s most famous animals. For nine years now the BATFEST has brought together local musicians, artisans and our furry winged friends for a celebration that’s as Austin as they come.
The BATFEST Details
It’s one of the most wonderfully weird festivals in the capital city. Every year BATFEST gets better and the crowd of bat lovers gets bigger.
Time:
August 24, 2013
4pm-12am
Location:
Congress Avenue Bridge
Tickets:
$7 General Admission
VIP Packages Available
If you want to learn more about the Austin bats and the people that helped them make their home here, visit the Bat Conservation International Booth.
Musical Entertainment and Events
Two Stages of Music
The bats might wake up a little early on August 24th to the beat of some of the areas best musical talent. This year there are two stages that have been lined up start to finish with acts like:
- Hank Williams III
- Luke Nelson & Promise of the Real
- Quiet Company
- The Olms Featuring Peter Yorn & J.D. King
- Reckless Kelly
The stages are sponsored by two of the biggest rock stations in the city: 101X and 93.7 KBLJ. Last year they kept the festivities going with after-hour parties that went until 2am.
Bat Costume Contest
Break out the Batman outfit! In Austin we look for any reason to dress up in outlandish getups. There’s sure to be some serious competition at the Bat Costume Contest, so don’t be afraid to get creative and go all out.
For the first time pets can get in on the costume action too. An award will be given for the best dog bat costume. Unlike the human contest, cuteness is sure to be a factor in which dog is crowned the best bat.
The Main Event – 1.5 Million Bats
Headlining the event is 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tailed Bats that will take flight at dusk. Make sure to get a spot along the east side of the bridge or claim a spot at the Statesman Bat Observation Center down below to see the largest swarm of urban bats in the world. They will pour out from under the bridge for nearly 30 minutes, creating a ribbon of black across the sky as they head east to feast on 10-20,000 pounds insects.
If you haven’t yet seen this spectacular natural wonder the BATFEST is a great time to get your first glimpse of the famous Austin bat colony.
Image Source: firstcallaustin.com
Original Source: https://www.royalaustin.com/austin-news-events/let-fun-take-flight-day-and-night-at-the-austin-batfest