At Mammoth Cave National Park, Saturday has an unusually small guest of honor: the bat. The park’s annual Bat Day lands on September 5 with presentations, hands-on activities, face painting, crafts, and a 7–9 p.m. live research demonstration near the Historic Entrance.

The lineup begins at 10 a.m. and includes a talk by bat conservationist Dr. Merlin Tuttle, followed by sessions on bat research, movement, and the species that call the park home. From 1–3 p.m., the visitor center hosts wing-biomechanics activities, face painting, and “bats and crafts.” The evening program invites visitors to watch trained researchers collect field data and share their methods.

The result feels delightfully specific: a full public day for a creature that already owns the night shift. Mammoth Cave lists 13 confirmed bat species in the park, giving the celebration plenty of local stars.

Bat Day activities are free, and the park welcomes visitors at its outdoor amphitheater and visitor center. The Mammoth Cave Bat Day schedule and the park’s event listing provide locations and program times. Bat Conservation and Management, a Bat Day participant, also lists the public program and its evening viewing session.