Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect if I drive out to the island over Labor Day weekend?
The whole event has been planned to bring a high level of excitement and entertainment to the attendees. Weather permitting, hot air balloons plan to launch in the morning on Saturday. Kites will fly when the wind comes up all 3 days, and the vendors will be filling the air with delicious smells, and our tummies with delectable food. But we also have scheduled nearly non-stop on-stage and on-field excitement. Entertainment on the stage goes on nearly all day long. Bring your own chairs for watching the entertainment. There will be kite and BMX demonstrations, a concert on Friday and Saturday nights, and fireworks following the concerts. There's also a climbing wall, a train for the kids, an inflatable bouncy land, and lots of other activities for the children. You're also invited to explore the rest of the island, including the Visitors Center, Fielding Garr Ranch, and you can dip in the lake and wash off after in the fresh water showers at Bridger Bay (on the north end). If you've never been, it's a great weekend to explore the island, then come and join the festivities between your forays of discovery.
There's entertainment again this year, right?
You bet. Local artists will appear most of the day. The balloonists and professional kite flyers will be there. And this year, the Stampede is providing two free concerts on Friday and Saturday nights. Fireworks follow each concert.
- A Beach Boy cover band called Kahuna Beach Party will entertain island-goers on Friday night. The band doesn't just play music, and sound amazingly like the Beach Boys - they create an event, and invite audience participation. You'll love it!
- The Diamond Experience takes the stage on Saturday night. They're a tribute band that sounds just like Neil Diamond. Your $15 per carload (per day) admission fee gets your group into all events.
- This year, there's also a 5k and a 12k Syracuse Stampede trail run on the island on Saturday morning. If you're worried about getting dirty and sweaty, you can always run over to Bridger Bay and take a private, hot shower. Just bring a bunch of quarters, soap, shampoo, a towel and a change of clothes. For more information on the trail run, click here.
You're going to have fireworks?
The fireworks last year were such a hit, that guests to the island will be able to see them on Friday and Saturday nights this year (weather permitting). The fireworks will go off from the beach at White Rock Bay, but the Stampede Grounds are the perfect place to watch the concerts and the fireworks. Bring your own lawn chairs. Blankets are okay, but you'll have a better experience in a lawn chair that you bring from home.
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 and the individual pilots. 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 ask volunteers to "crew" for him/her.
The best day to observe the balloons fill and fly - is on Friday morning (between 6:30AM - 7:30AM) -
at the Kaysville Ponds on the east side of I-15.
When do the professional kite flyers fly their 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 will be back this year, and they're really a lot of fun with their precision kite flying. You can also bring your own kite and fly it in the Go-Fly-A-Kite Zone. The kites will be there all three days - from Friday through Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be demonstrations on the hour and half hour.
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. You can see one of their demonstrations from last year here, or simply search for "iQuad" on YouTube and watch some of their other performances from around North America.
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 it 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 twenty 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?
Since there is no internet, and no phone service most vendors accept only cash. Some vendors might have portable electronic credit card readers (which they download later) - but just to be sure, you might want to stop at an ATM on the way, and bring old fashioned money.
I thought the Stampede events are free. What do I need cash for?
The event is free once you pay the admission fee, which is $15 per carload per day. But vendors ch
arge for their food and services.
The State Park system requires a $7 fee per car to enter the island, and the county charges $2 to get across the causeway and for three days, there will be an addition fee of $6 per vehicle which entitles you to all of the entertainment on the island.. If you don't want to buy food on the island, feel free to bring your own picnic, and your own water and drinks (but leave your cooler in the car, it will NOT be allowed in the Stampede area.) When you get to White Rock Bay, all the music on the stage, the balloon launch on Saturday (weather permitting), the concerts, the fireworks and observing the professional kite flying is free of charge. Besides the food vendors, there are other non-food 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. 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!
