Annual Bat Fest this weekend

AUSTIN (KXAN) - The annual Bat Fest and Night of the Bats event is set for Saturday from 1 p.m. to 12 midnight on the Ann Richard Congress Avenue Bridge.

The event is sponsored free to the public by the city of Austin. Bats are expected to fly between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Congress Avenue will be closed between Cesar Chavez Street and Barton Springs Road starting 4 a.m. Saturday through 4:45 a.m. Sunday.

The bridge will be open for walkers and bicycle traffic during the event, and alternate routes for drivers include north and south along the First Street Bridge and Lamar Boulevard, and east and west along Cesar Chavez Street and Riverside Drive.

Bike racks for bicyclists will be provided at the event.

Parking for participants will be available in the downtown area, including off-street garages and surface lots. Free parking will be available at the TxDOT parking lot, 200 Riverside Drive.

Additional paid parking includes the One Texas Center, 505 Barton Springs Road, and the Palmer Events Center, South First Street and Riverside Drive.

Alternate modes of transportation are also encouraged. For bus schedules and routes, visit www.capitalmetro.org .