5th Annual BATFEST Planned at Lincoln Caverns

February 02, 2011

Huntingdon, Pa, January 24, 2011:

Lincoln Caverns, near Huntingdon, PA, presents its special brand of Valentine Weekend fun with its fifth annual BATFEST on Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. During the five hours of informative fun, participants develop a deeper appreciation for Pennsylvania’s most fascinating mammals. This popular family event, for bat enthusiasts of all ages, features a day full of activities, cavern tours, and a pizza lunch. 2011 marks the twentieth anniversary of bat education at Lincoln Caverns. The staff looks forward to sharing their favorite bat crafts and games with Batfest visitors. The group will have the opportunity to participate in the building of a bat house, to be awarded to a lucky attendee through a random drawing at the end of the day.

A special treat at this year’s Batfest will be a visit from Cal Butchkowski, better known as Pennsylvania’s Batman. Mr. Butchkowski will share his superb bat photography and his knowledge of the state’s bat species as well as his work with the Pennsylvania bat count and White Nose Syndrome. Batfest guests will have the opportunity to get the most up to date information about White-Nose Syndrome, a disease killing bats in the eastern United States and Canada. According to the Consensus Statement of the Second WNS Emergency Science Strategy Meeting, held in Austin, Texas: White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease of hibernating bats that has caused the most precipitous decline of North American wildlife in recorded history. Lincoln Caverns has participated in education efforts, as well as raising funds for White-Nose Syndrome research for the past two seasons.

The highlight of the Batfest is always the visit to the caverns, Lincoln Caverns and Whisper Rocks. The interpretive tours of two spectacular crystal caverns features history, geology, bat facts, and trivia, while offering guests plenty of time for questions and picture taking. The caverns are a comfortable 50° year round, making them the ideal place to spend a winter afternoon. Lincoln Caverns’ gift shop features a wide variety of logo items and bat gifts. Great discounts are included with Batfest tickets. A portion of each purchase during Batfest will be donated to WNS research.

Advance tickets are required for Batfest and space is limited. Batfest 2011 is planned for Saturday, February 12, 2011, with a blizzard date of February 19, 2011. Tickets may be purchased at www.lincolncaverns.com or by calling 814.643.0268.