ANTELOPE ISLAND — This year, kite enthusiasts and kite makers from across the country will descend on Antelope Island State Park during the annual Kite & Balloon Stampede.

It all evolved from one lone kiter setting up some kites in the middle of the festival just four years ago.

“I put up some of my kites, was asked to come back the next year,” said Kevin Bayless of Taylorsville.

“With the kites we’re pretty weather-resistant unless we have way too much wind or a lot of rain. Generally speaking we can pretty much go all the time,” he said.

Some less-than-ideal weather at earlier festivals, which made it hard for balloons to launch, led festival organizers to look at kites as a backup plan.

This year, about 50 kites are making that aspect a showcase.

It was largely Bayless’ desire for a Wasatch Front area kite festival that led to his working to draw fellow enthusiasts to a festival on the island, he said.

What has been assembled includes seven or eight kite makers, similar to Bayless, who have been creating kites for decades.

A ticket-issuing problem due to changes with the annual Burning Man event in Nevada has created increased interest in this year’s Antelope Island festival, he said.

Kiters are coming from New Jersey, Florida, all over the Midwest including Ohio and Pennsylvania, as well as up and down the West Coast.

For more information check out the August 16 edition of Davis Clipper.

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com