Tommy Bartlett Waterski Show Is No More

After nearly seven decades, the Tommy Bartlett Show in Wisconsin Dells announced Wednesday it will close permanently due to business losses during the pandemic. The owners of the water-ski, sky and stage show made the decision in May to close its attraction this summer due to restrictions on large gatherings. The show usually ran from Memorial Day weekend until Labor Day. A release said they had plans to open next summer for its 70th season. But, President and Co-owner Tom Diehl said the water show experienced a complete loss of revenue when they had to cancel the 2020 summer season on Lake Delton due to the pandemic. The release said 115 seasonal employees lost their jobs when the show was canceled this summer. The show employs seven year-round staffers, many of whom had been with the show for decades. The Tommy Bartlett Show had more than 18,000 shows throughout its history.