(Buford, Ga., Oct. 1, 2015) – As the leaves begin to fall and the crisp, cool air of autumn takes its hold on Georgia, the woods of the Environmental and Heritage Center (EHC) come alive at night. Experience the wonders of nocturnal animals and their amazing adaptations at the Creatures of the Night Festival on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. The event features expanded hours starting at 5 p.m. and ending at 10 p.m.

Meet real, live examples of night time creatures that might inhabit your own backyard, such as an owl and an opossum.  Additional activities include a firefly mini trek, crafts, owl pellet dissection, nocturnal trivia, puppet theater, touchable skins and skulls, tram rides and the opportunity to discover bioluminescence in the forest. Bat experts will be in attendance showcasing bat habitats and highlighting the importance of this flying mammal.  Younger guests can even explore the EHC’s own mini bat cave.

Throughout the evening, the EHC will offer self-guided night hikes for visitors where participants will use all of their senses to explore what goes bump in the night.  Guests can also enjoy a large, inflatable outdoor screen on the lawn of the Chesser-Williams House as they watch a short movie on nocturnal animals.

The event will feature local food trucks such as Mac The Cheese and J & J Culinary Sensations, so that guests may purchase dinner while they enjoy the evening's festivities.

There will be plenty of parking at the event as the EHC will utilize its Festival Field and overflow parking area complete with a continuous transportation shuttle to and from the main campus.

Program fees for the Creatures of the Night Festival are $8.00 per person. Children two and under and EHC members are free.  Some activities may require an additional fee. Program fees can be paid at the door, but guests are encouraged to register early and pay online.  To register and obtain more information on the event, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.