Big Top Chautauqua Facing Significant Financial Struggles

BAYFIELD COUNTY, Wis. — There are serious financial challenges facing Big Top Chautauqua at the ski hill it sits on in Bayfield County.

Despite this, board members told FOX 21 they are determined to reinvent the operations for long-term success.

In 2022, the Ashwabay Alliance, which operates Big Top Chautauqua and Mount Ashwabay ski and recreation area, racked up a deficit of $100,000. Most of that debt came from Big Top Chautauqua.

In 2023, Mt. Ashwaybay had a shortfall of nearly a half a million dollars due to weak attendance and a snowless winter. Along with that, Big Top only made money on 13 of the 47 shows they held there last year.

“We’ve had some pretty incredible losses over the past three years that we’re now trying to address in a way so that we can move forward in a short-term restructuring and then a long-term strategic plan. That is to get us back on a path that is really the community resource we need to be,” said Garry Schalla, Executive Director of Ashwabay Alliance.

The Ashwabay Alliance said there are multiple contributing factors to the problem. Their attendance hasn’t bounced back since the pandemic, Big Top has lost roughly $15,000 for every Blue Canvas Orchestra show, insurance and equipment maintenance costs have gone up, and some of Big Top’s biggest financial supporters aren’t around anymore.

One way the alliance wants to turn the ship around is offering more options on the grounds, as well as boosting a larger demographic for the venues.

“We’re also looking at camping options. It’s something that we’ve talked about for years. And now it needs to come to fruition. Where families can come, and people can come. It’s expensive to stay here in Bayfield and we realize that,” said Schalla.

Changes are also already in the works for the 2025 season.

There will be fewer shows at the Big Top Chatauqua to help reduce expenses, though they do hope to build the shows back up for 2026. The alliance has also reached a new arrangement with Stage North theatre in Washburn to offer more year-round entertainment options like theater, comedy, music and film.

At Mt. Ashwabay, the goal is to add more winter events while expanding hiking, biking and environmental education.

With these changes in place, the Alliance is hoping this will lead to a successful 40th anniversary celebration for Big Top and Mt Ashwabay.