WISCONSIN DELLS, WI (WSAU) – The iconic Tommy Bartlett Show, which has run for seven decades in Wisconsin Dells, is closing permanently.
The show did not open this season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Co-owner Tom Diehl said the financial losses from this year made it impossible for the show’s long run to continue. He said limits on large gatherings and uncertainty surrounding the travel and tourism industry are the reasons. The show usually features two performances a day from May through Labor Day, but had no revenue during those months this year.
In a written statement, Diehl said: “Each fall, we begin to plan for the next season, and with so much uncertainty surrounding the future of the pandemic and travel, we cannot undergo additional financial risk and investment to begin planning for summer 2021. While we are grateful that we have had almost seven decades of entertaining visitors in Wisconsin Dells, we have no choice but to close the Show.”
The Tommy Bartlett Show began is a touring water-skiing exhibition in 1952, and has been based in Wisconsin Dells since 1953. It has played to more then 3-million people over the last 69 years.
The Tommy Bartlett Exploratory, a year-round exhibit, will remain open.
