2026 Minnesota Bat Festival--Halloween Day Oct 31, 10am-4pm

Need volunteers for the TCTU table and casting instruction

insert_invitation Sat, Oct 31 at 10:00 AM (CDT)

location_on Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center! , Bloomington, Minnesota

Details

Volunteer at the TCTU table or teach fly casting during the annual Bat Festival. You don't want to miss this event. Lots of fun, lots to learn then go home and shovel out candy to kids in your neighborhood! This years theme is WATER IS LIFE: FOR BATS AND MINNESOTANS

I need:

Two volunteers to man the TCTU table from 10a-1p
Two volunteers to man the TCTU table from 1p-4p
Two volunteers to teach casting from 10a-1p
Two volunteers to teach casting from 1p-4p

Wear your batman costume or other halloween costume and win a prize!!

Learn about the unique role that bats play both in Minnesota and world-wide during International Bat Week at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge's Visitor Center!

Bat Fest Costume Contest and Parade Image

Who:

Fun activities for all ages!

Cost:

Free!

Ongoing Activities:

Visit Eugene, the big brown bat!
Bat House Info. and giveaway
To the bat cave! Explore a replica "bat cave"
Become a Jr. Bat Scientist
Bat Trivia: Test your bat smarts and win a prize!
Get crafty with batty crafts
Gardening for bats-- and native seed giveaway

Presentations and Scheduled Activities:

11:00-11:30 PM
- Minnesota Bat Basics and News! Learn about the eight bat species found in Minnesota, how these bats help us and we can help them, along with the latest and greatest that researchers are learning about our local bats. Speaker: Melissa Boman, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
12:00-12:30 PM
- Ever wonder what to do if you find an injured bat? Hear what to do if you find an injured bat and how injured bats are cared for by wildlife rehabilitators. Speaker: Brittany Turner, Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
12:45-1:00 PM
- Costume Parade and Contest!
1:30-2:00 PM
- Facts vs. Fiction on Bats and Rabies: Learn about the basics of what rabies is, what is considered an exposure, and what to do if you’ve had an exposure. Speaker: Carrie Klumb, Minnesota Department of Health
2:30-3:00 PM
- Time to get techy! Hear how the Minnesota Zoo and bat researchers plan to learn about bat species migration using MOTUS towers and technology. Speaker: Mary Mallinger, Minnesota Zoo