Historic Polynesian Show remnants (and water skiing ) - General Tiki

I ikitnrev Tiki Socialite D.C. / Virginia Joined: Jul 27, 2002 Posts: 1325	I ikitnrev Posted posted on Sat, Jul 23, 2005 3:17 PM While in the Wisconsin Dells area, I went to see the Tommy Bartlett water ski show - the Greatest show on H2O, which has been presented in the Dells area for over 50 years. While walking from the parking to the water areas, one passes a display which has some of the wooden boats used in the original shows. More interesting were the advertising signs displayed on the wall behind the boats. Evidently, the Bartlett water show was home for the Doug Alii 'Pearls of the Pacific' Polynesian Revue. That last sign was terrific - I remember it as being 6 feet tall, although my memory may be exaggerating a bit. On a previous visit to Wisconsin Dells, I found an autographed record by Doug Alii. He is of Samoan heritage, and the LP contains both traditional songs such as 'Song of the Islands' along with original compositions such as 'Dells of Wisconsin' Here is the photo of Doug Alii that appears on the front cover of the record. Alas, the Bartlett Water Ski show no longer has any Polynesian elements - instead the show ends with a colored water fountain and laser show. Although still cool (Elvis Presley and go-g0 dancers in laser!), I think I might have preferred some Tahitian drums and dancers instead. Vern [ Edited by: ikitnrev 2008-06-17 10:41 ]

While in the Wisconsin Dells area, I went to see the Tommy Bartlett water ski show - the Greatest show on H2O, which has been presented in the Dells area for over 50 years.

While walking from the parking to the water areas, one passes a display which has some of the wooden boats used in the original shows. More interesting were the advertising signs displayed on the wall behind the boats.

Evidently, the Bartlett water show was home for the Doug Alii 'Pearls of the Pacific' Polynesian Revue.

That last sign was terrific - I remember it as being 6 feet tall, although my memory may be exaggerating a bit.

On a previous visit to Wisconsin Dells, I found an autographed record by Doug Alii. He is of Samoan heritage, and the LP contains both traditional songs such as 'Song of the Islands' along with original compositions such as 'Dells of Wisconsin' Here is the photo of Doug Alii that appears on the front cover of the record.

Alas, the Bartlett Water Ski show no longer has any Polynesian elements - instead the show ends with a colored water fountain and laser show. Although still cool (Elvis Presley and go-g0 dancers in laser!), I think I might have preferred some Tahitian drums and dancers instead.

Vern

[ Edited by: ikitnrev 2008-06-17 10:41 ]