Legoland ending storied water skiing show

Legoland ending iconic water ski show

Evan Axelbank reports.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - A symbol of Old Florida is skiing off into the sunset.

Legoland says that after a final performance on Dec. 30th, the storied water ski show that started at Cypress Gardens in 1947 is ending.

Previous demonstrations in Legolands water ski show.

In those days, it was the height of entertainment. People came from all over to see it and be a part of it in Polk County.

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"I hitchhiked to Winter Haven, Florida, from Pennsylvania when I was 17 years old," said Dave Dershimer.

In 1964, Dershimer realized his dream of performing in the Cypress Gardens water-skiing show, which was already almost twenty years old.

"We would do five, six, maybe even seven ski shows a day," said Dershimer. "The sidewalks, which were about 8 to 10 ft wide, would be jam-packed with people shoulder to shoulder. Everybody was shooting Kodak film."

Dershimer performing in a water ski show decades ago.

Dershimer was on the show until 1980, and it continued with people like Mark Jackson, who joined in 1981.

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"I was in a lot better shape back then," joked Jackson.

After nearly eight decades and millions of memories made, it's time to move on.

Legoland, which took over Cypress Gardens in 2011, says the final water ski show will be on Dec. 30th.

Jackson now serves as the Director of Visit Central Florida and runs Polk County's tourism bureau.

"The ski show costs an awful lot to produce," said Jackson. "In fact, it's the most expensive attraction in the entire park. Well, it wasn't the most popular attraction. So it's a cost-benefit."

Legoland says it was a challenging decision but points out they're opening a new sea life aquarium in the spring.

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The end of the longest-running entertainment production in the world doesn't erase what participants remember.

"The data tells the corporate story," said Dershimer. "I can tell you the heart story."

Polk County will still host the Water Skiing Hall of Fame and the sport's Olympic committee.

But now, it has a history to pass down.

"If you're a baseball fan for the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium and football, it would be Lambeau Field," said Jackson. "This is sort of hallowed ground."

It's also hallowed water.

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