I don't know if everyone on this site is aware of the recent flooding which resulted in Lake Delton draining into the Wisconsin River. As many of you know, Lake Delton is the lake on which the Tommy Bartlett Show has put on ski shows for 55 years, really starting the trend of waterski shows and ski competitions that continue to this day. Now, Tommy Bartlett's ski jumps are sitting in the mud of the dry lake bed of Lake Delton. A real economic tragedy for the Wisconsin Dells generally, and Tommy Bartlett Shows in particular. There is a good article in today's Chicago Tribune about Tom Diehl, who owns the Bartlett show, and his efforts to put on a show on the dry lake bed to keep his skiiers employed. Tom is a great guy, and I have gotten to know him through his efforts to help me track down the history of my boat when it started life as a pickup boat with Tommy Bartlett shows. If you have a chance to get to the Bartlett show this summer, please buy tickets and go, and support this historical waterskiing institution. Hopefully, by this time next year, the lake shore will be restored and the lake refilled. For now, the Tommy Bartlett bleachers look out over mud. Markbano
Mark, How does Tom plan on putting on a show if the lake is dry ? Taking it to another lake in the area ?? "It's nice to see he's trying to take care of his employees." Bob
Bob They are doing on-stage performances and aerial stuff. They are still holding their shows on location. They have a clown act that makes use of the fact that the lake is drained, etc. Some of the skiiers have gone down to Florida to Cypress.
Rock Aqua Jays have also had to announce that they will be unable to host nationals. Rockford has also had to pass. Guess it might be in WI Rapids, same site as WI state show tournament.
