Balloon Festival

FARMINGTON -- Someone who sings like Neil Diamond, and another act that sings Beach Boys' songs, are part of the festivities being packed into the 6th annual Antelope Island Stampede Festival.

The three-day event will be held on the island Sept. 2-4, Labor Day weekend.

The cost to attend the event is $15 per carload, which includes the state park fee, Davis County's causeway fee. It allows entry to all festival entertainment.

CENTERVILLE -- Watching a hot-air balloon rise into the sky just yards from where he was sitting is not the kind of experience fifth-grader Carson Ashby has most days at school.

SLIDESHOW: Balloon and Kite Stampede
ANTELOPE ISLAND -- Red kites, white kites, orange, blue and green kites.
Kites with hearts, fish, birds and skulls.
Kites floating on the wind, others dipping down and soaring up again.
Kites of every shape and size stole the day after a steady wind descended on the 2009 Antelope Island Balloon & Kite Stampede on Saturday, providing a lively backdrop for other events.

POWER POINT PRESENTATION: Learn more about hot air balloons
SYRACUSE -- Camille Bybee's imagination took flight Wednesday as the 7-year-old watched her school principals and teachers ascend the morning sky in a 70-foot-tall hot air balloon behind Syracuse Elementary School.
"I thought the balloon looked like a round ice cube with different colored juices in it," Camille said.
"If I could ride in it, I'd go for miles and see houses and cars and schools and animals."

The Ogden Valley Balloon Festival features three days of hot-air balloon launches today through Sunday.
Those interested can buy rides ($175 per person) in advance at the festival Web site, www.ogdenvalleyballoonfestival.com, or at the launch field.
Balloon launches are only in the mornings, but entertainment and food are offered all day. Booths, games and food will be at Wolf Creek Ski Resort, 3567 Nordic Valley Way, Eden.
The balloon field is at 3201 N. Wolf Creek Drive, Eden.