Frequently Asked Questions
Why did you change the name? Are you still going to have balloons, kites and fun?
The name has been changed to simply: Antelope Island Stampede. But that's not all. The whole event has been changed to bring a higher level of excitement and entertainment to the attendees. Balloons will still launch in the morning on Saturday (weather permitting), kites will fly when the wind comes up all 3 days, the vendors will be filling the air with delicious smells, and our tummies with delectable food. But we also have scheduled non-stop on-stage and on-field excitement. Entertainment on the stage goes on nearly all day long. The focus is now on non-stop fun. Bring your own chairs for watching the entertainment. Particularly at night.
You're going to have fireworks?
For the first time ever in the history of the park, they'll have fireworks at dusk on Saturday night. The fireworks will go off the beach, but the Stampede Grounds are the perfect place to watch the festivities and the fireworks. There are chairs in the food tent, but for entertainment it's a good idea to bring your own chairs for watching the entertainment and fireworks.
What time do the balloons launch on Saturday morning?
That's a tricky question. Balloons require the air to be almost totally still for two reasons. One: they can't point their propane burners at the fabric if it keeps blowing into the flame, and Two: the only safe landing is one that you can walk away from... and if the basket gets towed across a field, or rolls along a few hundred yards before stopping... it's not considered a safe landing. So, it's really up to the weather. Optimum time is shortly after sunrise. If you want to see the balloons fill and take off, please plan on arriving Saturday morning by 7AM - earlier if possible. If you'd like to offer your services, many times the pilot will have you crew for him/her.
The pilots are invited out to the island on Sunday, but it's up to them whether they appear or not.
The better chance of seeing hot air balloons is going to be on Saturday morning.
Can I go up in one of the balloons? How 'bout if I pay to go up?
No, unfortunately, balloons don't hold a lot of crew. However, many observers often offer to help, and many times that help is accepted. If you're willing and able, let the pilot know and he might put you to work. Half the fun of being there is watching the balloons inflate. And, unless you're a sponsor, the pilots won't be taking people for rides.
So I can get close to the balloons?
You bet! The pilots just don't like it if you get in the way. And a few things you never, ever do are: jump over the lines, walk on the envelope (the balloon fabric) and touch ANY thing unless you're instructed to do so by the pilot. You can also take as many pictures as you like, talk to the pilots to have them explain what they're doing, and watch in fascination as they fill those envelopes with a bunch of hot air....
Kites? You said that the ballons can't fly if there's wind. How do you fly kites?
The island is unique in that it's still in the morning and the breezes come up shortly after the sun rises. Professional kite fliers will be providing entertainment on the field after the sun comes up. They've got the craziest collection of kites that you can imagine. Some are so big, they have to use water-ski rope to hang on to them. Some of them roll around like caterpillars, or kaleidiscopes. The iQuad team They're really a lot of fun. You can also bring your own kite and fly it in the Go-Fly-Zone. The kites will be there all three days - from Friday through Sunday.
What is an iQuad?
IQuad is a team of professional kite flyers who love their job. And it shows. They've appeared on shows like Good Morning America, and at exhibitions throughout the country. You've seen precision jet fighters, like the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds... the iQuad is kind of the kite-equivalent. They fly four kites side by side in an incredibly choreographed show. You'll love it.
My pet likes to be with people. Can he/she come with us?
Dogs and other domestic pets are allowed on the island. HOWEVER, they must be on a leash at all times and you MUST clean up after them if they make a mess. After all this is a State Park - and you don't want a ranger or a fellow-stampede attendee to find what you didn't clean up.
What's the weather report?
There's that old joke told in Utah, Texas and other places with unpredictable weather: "If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes. And if you do like it, wait 15 minutes". Last year was very warm, but it cools off at night. It's always best to be prepared. Bring hats and sunscreen for day. Have layers in case it cools down at night. An umbrella keeps the sun off. And might come in handy for other stuff too. Regardless of the weather, there's a 100% chance of fun!
Is there food on the island?
Oh boy. Labor Day weekend will have food every where. At the Stampede itself, there will be nearly thirty different food vendors offering all kinds of delicious food, slushies, smoothies, coffee, tea, soft drinks and even beer. See our vendor tab for a list of food and non-food vendors.
I hear that no one takes credit cards. Do I really have to bring cash?
That has been true in the past. However, some vendors have portable electronic credit card readers (which they download later), and some are doing an imprint of your card (remember the old imprint machines that slide over your card and make a carbon receipt?). There will be two ATMs on the island during the event: one at the marina (as soon as you cross the island) and one at the Information booth at the event site. However, most food vendors will not take debit and credit cards, so if your purchases are incidental, you may must want to bring cash anyway.
I thought it was free. What do I need cash for?
Good point. The State Park system requires a $10 fee per car to get across the causeway. If you don't want to buy food on the island, feel free to bring your own picnic, and your own water and drinks. When you get there, all the music on the stage, the balloon launch on Saturday (weather permitting) and observing the professional kite flying is free of charge. Besides the food vendors, there are other vendors as well. You can even buy kites and fly them in the "Free Fly Zone". Other than that ... it really is a cheap date.
Why do they call it Antelope Island?
They were going to call it Jackalope Island, but there were more pronghorn antelope than there are Jackalopes. And Pronghorn Island didn't sound that catchy. However, there are still lots of pronghorn antelope, and we think you'll like the bison. The park has nearly 750 of them by the end of summer. Surprisingly there are two critters that you won't find on the island: rattlesnakes and fox. That should make you feel better. There are lots of other animals, including rabbits, coyotes (who chase the rabbits), bighorn sheep, other mammals, chukars (a large quail-like bird that is native to Afghanistan), and lots of other types of birds. In fact Bill Fenimore of the Wild Bird Center in Layton will be doing a presentation at Fielding Garr Ranch (Saturday at 2PM) to talk about birds and the importance that the lake plays to the millions of migrating fowl each spring and fall. Remember, all the animals are wild, and they're not wild about friendly tourists. But they like their pictures taken. So keep a healthy distance, but use up all the camera memory you can!
