Antelope Island Stampede Offers Kites, Balloons, Outdoor Activities And More

Antelope Island is one of Utah's most popular state parks. It is conveniently located in the Great Salt Lake, close to Salt Lake City. It is a great place to hike, bike, ride horseback, camp, swim and engage in other activities.

One of the most popular events at the park, called the Antelope Island Stampede, is held every year over Labor Day Weekend. The park provided the information below about the stampede.

Antelope Island Stampede

2012 Schedule and Activities

Labor Day Weekend:
August 31 - Sept 2 (Fri - Sun)
Hot air balloons are scheduled to launch from the Kaysville ponds at sunrise on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Event Hours on the Island:
Friday    5 PM - 9:30 PM
Saturday  12 Noon - 9:30 PM
Sunday    12 Noon - 8 PM

The Antelope Island Stampede runs from Friday through Sunday on Labor Day weekend (the first weekend in September). Most activities take place at White Rock Bay (see the map).

If you want to go horseback riding, at the Fielding Garr Ranch, call 888-878-8002 to reserve a time. This is not nose-to-tail riding; your outfitter rides with you, but you go side by side across the plains of the island. Be on the lookout for bison, pronghorn, mountain sheep and other critters You can ride for 1 hour, and hour-and-a-half, or two hours. Costs are $50 for the first hour, $75 for 1.5 hrs, and $100 for 2 hrs per horse. The animals are very calm, docile and used to riders of all abilities. The youngest one can be as a rider is 6 years old.

You might even want to check out Gonzo Boat Rentals at the marina, as soon as you cross the causeway. Dave has kayaks, bicycles, pedal boats and even several jet boats if you want to toodle around the island in style. For an inventory of what they offer, and a pricing schedule, click here.

In fact, there's so much to do over Labor Day weekend you may want to camp on the Island or stay nearby in one of our comfy hotels. Reserve your camping space early. Call (800)322-3770 for more camping info.

The Hilton Garden Inn is our headquarters hotel, and they're offering a tremendous $69 room rate during Labor Day weekend. Use code "STAM" when you call for a reservation (801) 416-8899 to get that price. Other hotels with great rates are listed at the bottom of our sponsor page.

There will be many activities for the children in the "Kids' Tent". They may spend time in the tent when accompanied by a parent, and there they can color, make their own (free) kites that actually fly, get their faces painted, learn about the island from the park's naturalist, and participate in other activities.

There will be kite-flying demonstrations by kite flyers from across the country throughout each day, nearly non-stop stage entertainment, and lots to eat from all the vendors. You'll be amazed at how much talent is on display from local entertainers. Feel free to bring your own kites and join the other kite flyers in the free-fly zone! You might want to bring your own chairs too for the entertainment and the fireworks shows on Friday and Saturday nights. If you you do plan to buy anything from the vendors, remember most vendors only accept cash for payment. Some may accept credit and debit cards - but they all accept cash.

In 2012 there will be Kite flying demonstrations, BMX demos and clinics for the kids, a climbing wall and inflatable bouncy toys, a kiddie "train", horseback riding for the kids (led by the outfooter on foot), music, hot-air-balloon glows followed by fireworks on Friday and Saturday nights, lots of places to buy food, wild animals roaming the island, lots of old friends and opportunities to make new ones. There are over 50 kite flyers from across the country! This is going to be amazing!

A schedule of 2012 activities can be found on the festival website.