This article is part of Latin Post's On the Road series. Follow our adventures at #LPOTR.

The people of Austin know how to party, play awesome live music and cook up some savory BBQ, but there is another noteworthy 'bat-ass' attraction: a nightly bat feeding frenzy where 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats gather to feast on Austin's insects under the city's Congress Bridge.

It's a sight that is sure to wow any nature or bat enthusiast, or like me, a nocturnal newbie who recently visited Austin, Texas, to attend the Pachanga Latino Music Festival and had the chance witness the nightly spectacular myself.

According to Bat Conservation International, every evening from mid-March to early November, tourists from around the world gather to witness the the bats emerge from their roosts under the Congress Avenue Bridge. The world-renowned creatures' night flight consists of "60-plus miles per hour and 2-mile high flight patterns."

Austin's Lady Bird Lake has become a temporary residence for the bats, who show off their skills and flying capabilities with a "dynamic aerial flight typically lasting 45 to 60 minutes long."

"The time of year, weather conditions, and colony size all affect bat emergence times. Late July through mid-August is the best time to see impressive flights, as new born pups first begin to forage with their mothers."

I have to admit I was a little leery at first, not knowing what my batty reaction would be if a bat lost its way and found itself entangled in my hair. Plus, it was hot and humid, so there was a lot of hair and frizz to contend with!

I was warned by a native Austinite to make sure I didn't watch the feeding from directly below the bridge because, like birds, when they eat, well you know... I wonder if bat poop is also supposed to mean good luck. In any case, it seemed like the eager tourists in the boats below came a little too close for comfort in my opinion. However, from the vantage point in the YouTube video (below), it looks like it's also an amazing angle to view the bats.

Regardless, the bat show went on, and I was in awe watching the precision of their flight and their incredible speed. I was also happy to know that there would be less bugs that would want to possibly feast on humans.

While standing on the Congress Bridge, "Batman" also made an appearance, otherwise known as a local bat fan who wore bat wings on his head and a Batman T-shirt.

According to the Bat Conservation International, "a single little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquito-sized insects in a single hour, while a pregnant or lactating female bat typically eats the equivalent of her entire body weight in insects each night.

"Almost a third of the world's bats feed on the fruit or nectar of plants. In return for their meals, these bats are vital pollinators of countless plants (many of great economic value) and essential seed dispersers with a major role in regenerating rainforests. About 1 percent of bats eat fish, mice, frogs or other small vertebrates."

Out of the 1,200 species of bats, are there any that really suck blood like vampires?

"Only three species, all in Latin America, are vampires," the Bat Conservation International said. "They really do feed on blood, although they lap it like kittens rather than sucking it up as horror movies suggest. Even the vampires are useful: an enzyme in their saliva is among the most potent blood-clot dissolvers known and is used to treat human stroke victims."

I was also happy to learn that there not only are the Austin bats were actually Mexican bats, but there was another Mexican connection. The nightly spectacular takes place close to the iconic Cesar Chavez Street, a tribute to the iconic Mexican-American labor leader and civil rights activist.

To celebrate the natural phenomenon, Austin will host its 10th Annual Austin Bat Fest on Saturday, Aug. 23, on the Congress Bridge where thousands will gather. There will be two stages with live music, arts and crafts, food vendors and a bat costume contest as well as other bat-related activities.

And of course, at dusk, there will be an unforgettable appearance of 1.5 Mexican free-tailed bats. You won't find that at any other festival!

Check out the Mexican free-tailed bats depart Austin's Congress Bridge. In November, the bats return to central Mexico.