Tommy Bartlett's Thrill Show

Tommy Bartlett's Water Ski & Jumping Boat Thrill Show, more commonly known simply as the Tommy Bartlett Show, is a popular tourist attraction in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. The show was originally created in 1952 by Wisconsin showman Tommy Bartlett as a traveling group of entertainers, based in Chicago, Illinois. After changing its base of operations to Wisconsin Dells, the performers continued to tour, performing at World's Fairs and U.S.O. shows. According to the show's official website, over 20 million spectators have seen the show since its creation.

The Wisconsin Dells show is performed between late May and early September on Lake Delton. In keeping with the tourist-centered economy of Wisconsin Dells, the show operates regardless of rain, and will generally only be canceled if weather is actually dangerous rather than simply inclement. Despite the fact that the show takes place entirely on the lake, it is interesting to note that Bartlett himself apparently only waterskiied once, on his 70th birthday, 32 years after the show's creation.

In 1978, Tommy Bartlett named Thomas Diehl as president of Tommy Barlett, Inc and sold him a twenty-five percent stake in the company. Diehl is the current president, general manager and co-owner of Tommy Barlett, Inc. Diehl had joined the Barlett organization in 1967, at the recommendation of NFL quarterback Joe Namath.

uspension after Lake Delton flood, draining

On June 7, 2008, the Bartlett show closed when Lake Delton, the body of water where the show takes place, flooded after torrential rains. Two days later, Lake Delton breached the embankment of County Highway A, creating a new channel around Lake Delton Dam going toward the Wisconsin River. The breach drained the lake almost completely, in particular the area of the show's grandstand. [cite news|publisher="Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel"|last=Romell|first=Rick|coauthors=Patrick Marley|date=2008-06-09|url=http://www2.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=760060|title=Swollen by rain, Lake Delton nearly empties, wrecking homes, damaging tourism hopes]

The show reopened on Thursday, June 12, but without its famous water skiers. They, like Lake Delton, will apparently be gone for the rest of the 2008 season. [cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-wisconsin-floodsjun11,0,313266.story|title=In Wisconsin, the great lake robbery|publisher="Chicago Tribune"|last=Torriero|first=E. A.|date=2008-06-11] [ [http://video.ap.org/v/Legacy.aspx?g=c1ca5cca-d3e0-4586-a030-a5990b3b8c11&f=wimil&mk=en-ap&fg=copy Associated Press video via The Milwaukee State-Journal: "The show must go on"] ]

Even with the land show that has been put in place, as of July 9, 2008 show numbers are down almost 90%. The show has been improvised with a beached island and by pulling legends like "Sound Effects Guy" Wes Harrison out of retirement. [ [http://gray.printthis.clickability.com/pt/cpt?action=cpt&title=Tommy+Bartlett%27s+Needs+Help&expire=&urlID=29647645&fb=Y&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nbc15.com%2Fhome%2Fheadlines%2F24274649.html&partnerID=78981 Tommy Bartlett's Needs Help ] ]

Another set back occurred the first week of July, 2008. Many of Tommy Barlett, Inc employees live in trailers on company premises as most most employees are college students from various places seeking summer employment. On Wednesday, July 8th, a fire broke out in one of the trailers, damaging four mobile homes on the premises. The fire caused $100,000 worth of damage, but thankfully no one was hurt. Tom Diehl was quoted as saying, "another emotional setback for everyone". [http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_9850392?nclick_check=1]

References

Leaf, N. (June 19, 2006). Fresh ideas, after 40 years of Dells magic. "Wisconsin State Journal".

External links

* [http://www.tommybartlett.com/TBS.html Official website]