ANTELOPE ISLAND — Last Labor Day weekend, more than 22,000 people converged on Antelope Island for the annual Balloon & Kite Stampede.

This year, the renamed 2010 Antelope Island Stampede promises to outdo last year’s, including more activities to experience the island along with stampede activities, says Stampede Committee chair Vaughn Jacobsen.

“We look forward to another terrific year,” he said, with events planned for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 3-5.

“This year, as part of our expansion, there will be professional big-name entertainment both Friday and Saturday nights,” Jacobsen said. “We’ve contracted with a promoter to bring in entertainment.”

Eve 6, described as an “alternative/post-grunge rock band,” has been signed for Friday night, he said. “The Saturday night band (still to be signed) will be one everyone will recognize. They haven’t been here (in Utah) for several years.”

Organizers are also looking to expand the number and variety of vendors this year, Jacobsen said.

There will be more hikes and educational opportunities provided by Antelope Island State Park, as well.

“We look forward to Bill Fenimore from the Wild Bird Center being out there. We hope to showcase not only the kites and balloons, but the island itself,” he said.

Professional kite flyers and hobbyists will put on aerial demonstrations. “These intricate kites are not only huge, but flying them is an art,” the official festival website notes. Again this year, those attending may bring their own kites to fly on the island in a designated area, as well

Last year, nearly 22,000 people visited the island, according to a State Park count.

Those attending the festival will likely not notice any change in the organization behind the stampede. However, it is now an independent entity.

“It got its wings, matured enough to stand on its own, as a chamber event is supposed to do,” Jacobsen said.

The event was started several years ago by the Davis Chamber of Commerce, under a separate sub-committee.

“Under a mutual agreement between the chamber and stampede committee it was decided the event was mature enough, with good feelings from everybody, that the stampede could set out on its own,” Jacobsen said.

“It’s the same central committee that is going to champion the cause, many of whom still serve on the chamber board. We just have an opportunity to move out and do something a little bit different, and more,” he said.

“It’s been great to be affiliated with the Davis Chamber,” said Barbara Riddle, a committee member and CEO of the Davis Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “How grateful we are for the investment they made.

“It is time to ‘spread our wings, cut the cords, and let us play,’” she said of the action. “It allows us more opportunities. There are some positives to being independent. It will be known as the annual Antelope Island Stampede Festival.”

Riddle noted the well-known and long-time Albuquerque, N.M. balloon festival also operates as an independent entity “that has done exceedingly well by being their own, stand-alone organization.”

The Davis County event, meanwhile, will be a partnership between the organizing committee, Utah State Parks and the Davis Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

For more information, visit the Web at www.antelopeballoons.com or call the CVB at 801-774-8200.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com