As autumn moves in and Halloween approaches, it’s time to go a little batty. Throughout October, Hotel ELEO at University of Florida, Gainesville, makes that mission an easy one. The hotel hosts two-night Going Batty-themed getaways that include accommodations, two complimentary brews and two tickets to the 18th annual Lubee Bat Fest on Oct. 22 with access to the site’s beer garden.
© Kevin Ruck
“Bats provide extremely important benefits within their native ecosystems. Fruit-eating bats, such as those living at Lubee, are essential for pollination and seed dispersal. Most bats in the US, and all 13 species native to Florida, feed on insects including moths, beetles and flies such as mosquitos. They are the only major predator of night-flying insects, and their presence is vital for reducing pests that negatively impact humans and agriculture,” said Dr. Shelly Johnson, state specialized agent in natural resources, UF/IFAS Extension, affiliate faculty, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation.
The festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., includes food trucks, works for sale by local artists, live music and a beer garden featuring beverages from more than 10 local breweries. During the event, 165 bats representing 13 separate species will be on view, along with caretaking bat experts. The festival is organized by the Lubee Bat Conservancy, globally recognized as a leader in bat research, bat habitat conservation and education, with a focus on the care of fruit bats. Johnson encourages festival-goers to visit the UF Bat Houses, not only the world’s largest occupied bat homes, but also the location of a nightly exodus that sees an estimated half-million bats emerge and take to the night skies each evening after sunset.
© Kevin Ruck
Hotel ELEO is located about 30 minutes from Lubee Bat Conservancy and includes 173 rooms and suites fitted with luxury linens, L’Occitane en Provence bath amenities, two television sets, Dohm® Natural Sound Machine, a QI wireless phone charger, a Nespresso coffee machine and a mini fridge. Guests can enjoy modern American fare and handcrafted cocktails at Covey Kitchen + Cocktails, with outdoor seating and views of nearby Rush Lake.
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