INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ An annual festival celebrating bats and important role the flying mammals play in controlling insect pests is coming to Indianapolis.

The Eighth Annual Indiana Bat Festival will be held Sept. 13 on the Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis campus. It will be the first time the bat-centric event has been held outside of Terre Haute, where it's been hosted by Indiana State University.

Pamela Martin, who directs IUPUI's Center for Earth and Environmental Sciences, says the festival will give participants a fresh look at bats, the diverse ecosystems they occupy and their importance to environmental health. This year's festival will feature live bat demonstrations and hands-on activities for children.

The festival is being co-sponsored by IUPUI center, its School of Science and ISU's Center for Bat Research, Outreach and Conservation.