Circus World shows impressive attendance gains
from: wiscnews.com
Ed Zagorski, News Republic
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Attendance is up this year at Baraboo's Circus World Museum, according to its director.
Through the end of October, a report from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin states that 65,454 people visited Circus World.
That is up about 5 percent from the 62,515 visitors welcomed during the same period in 2010, CWM Executive Director Steve Freese said Monday.
Revenue generated by visitors was $875,420 through October 2011, up 19 percent from the total of $737,705 earned during the same period in 2010, he said.
"Despite the poor economy here in the state and nationwide, we're doing pretty well," Freese said.
Freese noted that part of the reason for the increase in attendance and rise in revenue are the promotional offers Circus World Museum has, in conjunction with Devil's Lake State Park and the area water parks in Wisconsin Dells.
"I've heard from campers (that) when the weather turns bad, they are looking for something to do inside," Freese said.
"I also know there is only so much you can do at the water parks, so parents will bring their children here and share a piece of Wisconsin history with them. We're family-friendly, and people are taking advantage of it."
And while folks are on the historic museum grounds, they are buying more food. Sales are up 23 percent. Sales in the museum gift shop have jumped 15 percent, according to the report.
Circus World is part of a system of sites operated by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. They include the H.H. Bennett Studio in Wisconsin Dells, Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien and Old World Wisconsin in Waukesha County.
The historic sites generally have done well despite the slow economy, said Steve Lightbourn, marketing manager with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
"We're happy, given the current economic picture, that the Circus World Museum is doing well," Lightbourn said. "Many of them are hitting their revenue numbers. We do provide excellent value to our visitors, and I think that plays a big role, too."
Freese said annual efforts to raise community support for Circus World have gone well this year.
He said the Circus of Chefs Gala in June brought in $209,000, about $60,000 more than its projected goal.
During the production last year of the circus-themed romance film "Water for Elephants," Freese said Circus World provided 15 circus wagons, historic photographs and other technical support. He said the museum received about $365,000 for its contribution to the movie.
Freese said the premiere of "Water for Elephants" in May at the Al. Ringling Theatre also provided a boost to Circus World.
"It was a pretty incredible night," he said. "We packed the grounds just before the movie and then the theater."
Freese said the museum owed about $1.1 million when he took the role of director in 2007. He said that included a half-million dollar line of credit, and money due to the Wisconsin Historical Society for the Irvin Feld Exhibit Hall.
He said the profits from the Great Milwaukee Circus Parade in 2009 helped to pay down the line of credit. With the help of state Sens. Dale Schulz, Luther Olsen and Fred Risser, Circus World was awarded a one-time grant from the Wisconsin State Building Commission to pay off the Feld building debt.
"Right now, the debt is just under $100,000," Freese said. "It's a lot easier to handle."
Through the end of October, a report from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin states that 65,454 people visited Circus World.
That is up about 5 percent from the 62,515 visitors welcomed during the same period in 2010, CWM Executive Director Steve Freese said Monday.
Revenue generated by visitors was $875,420 through October 2011, up 19 percent from the total of $737,705 earned during the same period in 2010, he said.
"Despite the poor economy here in the state and nationwide, we're doing pretty well," Freese said.
Freese noted that part of the reason for the increase in attendance and rise in revenue are the promotional offers Circus World Museum has, in conjunction with Devil's Lake State Park and the area water parks in Wisconsin Dells.
"I've heard from campers (that) when the weather turns bad, they are looking for something to do inside," Freese said.
"I also know there is only so much you can do at the water parks, so parents will bring their children here and share a piece of Wisconsin history with them. We're family-friendly, and people are taking advantage of it."
And while folks are on the historic museum grounds, they are buying more food. Sales are up 23 percent. Sales in the museum gift shop have jumped 15 percent, according to the report.
Circus World is part of a system of sites operated by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin. They include the H.H. Bennett Studio in Wisconsin Dells, Villa Louis in Prairie du Chien and Old World Wisconsin in Waukesha County.
The historic sites generally have done well despite the slow economy, said Steve Lightbourn, marketing manager with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
"We're happy, given the current economic picture, that the Circus World Museum is doing well," Lightbourn said. "Many of them are hitting their revenue numbers. We do provide excellent value to our visitors, and I think that plays a big role, too."
Freese said annual efforts to raise community support for Circus World have gone well this year.
He said the Circus of Chefs Gala in June brought in $209,000, about $60,000 more than its projected goal.
During the production last year of the circus-themed romance film "Water for Elephants," Freese said Circus World provided 15 circus wagons, historic photographs and other technical support. He said the museum received about $365,000 for its contribution to the movie.
Freese said the premiere of "Water for Elephants" in May at the Al. Ringling Theatre also provided a boost to Circus World.
"It was a pretty incredible night," he said. "We packed the grounds just before the movie and then the theater."
Freese said the museum owed about $1.1 million when he took the role of director in 2007. He said that included a half-million dollar line of credit, and money due to the Wisconsin Historical Society for the Irvin Feld Exhibit Hall.
He said the profits from the Great Milwaukee Circus Parade in 2009 helped to pay down the line of credit. With the help of state Sens. Dale Schulz, Luther Olsen and Fred Risser, Circus World was awarded a one-time grant from the Wisconsin State Building Commission to pay off the Feld building debt.
"Right now, the debt is just under $100,000," Freese said. "It's a lot easier to handle."
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