Bring The Circus Elephants Back With AR!
Our project aims to create an immersive AR (Augmented Reality) experience that brings the historic circus elephants back to Baraboo, Wisconsin—the birthplace of the Ringling Brothers circus. Using advanced AR technology, visitors will encounter lifelike virtual elephants, experiencing the wonder of the circus without the ethical concerns of live animal performances.
Transform Baraboo into Wisconsin’s Premier AR Tourism Destination
By blending innovation, history, and animal welfare, this project offers a unique and unforgettable way to celebrate Baraboo’s circus legacy.
The Opportunity
- Modern Innovation: First-ever web-based AR circus experience
- Community Impact: Boost tourism and local business engagement
- Brand Association: Connect with ethical entertainment and cutting-edge technology
- Historic Significance: Baraboo is the birthplace of Ringling Brothers Circus
The Experience
- Web-Based AR Circus Elephants
- No App Required Works on Most Modern Smartphones
- Visitors scan QR codes throughout Baraboo
- Instantly see life-size AR elephants through their browser
- Historical accuracy meets modern wonder
This Attraction Will
- Bringing History to Life in America’s Circus City
- Recreate the awe of seeing majestic elephants up close in a humane way.
- Preserve and showcase a key chapter of Baraboo’s and America’s entertainment history.
- Demonstrate AR’s potential for creating engaging, location-based educational experiences.
Gamification
Circus-Style Easter Egg Hunt & Geocaching Experience
“The Great Baraboo Elephant Trail”
- Multiple Sponsor Elephants: Each sponsor gets their own unique AR elephant at specific locations
- Collectible Series: Visitors discover and photograph different elephants throughout the city
- Interactive Map: Web portal shows elephant locations and collection progress
- Completion Rewards: Special recognition for finding all elephants
- Seasonal Updates: New elephants and locations could be added throughout the year
Why Sponsor This Project?
Brand Benefits
- Innovation Leadership: First-mover advantage in AR tourism
- Community Connection: Deep ties to Wisconsin’s most historic circus city
- Family Appeal: Multi-generational entertainment experience
- Social Sharing: Viral-worthy content creation
- Educational Value: Supporting STEM learning and history preservation
- Exclusive Elephant Ownership: Your own custom AR elephant at your chosen location
- Geocaching Appeal: Tap into the growing location-based gaming market
- Collection Incentive: Visitors return multiple times to find all sponsor elephants
Unique Positioning
- Ethical Entertainment: Technology replaces live animal performances
- Heritage Preservation: Honoring Ringling Brothers’ legacy
- Tourism Development: Extending visitor stays in Baraboo through elephant hunting
- Cross-Platform Reach: iOS and Android compatibility
- Possible Gamification Elements: Achievement system encourages exploration and repeat visits
Market Opportunity
Tourism Statistics
- Circus World Museum: 100,000+ annual visitors
- Wisconsin Dells Region: 4.5 million tourists annually (30 minutes away)
- Devil’s Lake State Park: 2 million visitors (15 minutes away)
- Madison Metro: 650,000+ residents (45 minutes away)
Target Demographics
- Families with children (ages 5-15): Primary audience
- Wisconsin residents: Day trip market
- Circus history enthusiasts: National audience
- Technology early adopters: Cross-generational appeal
Sponsorship Tiers
RINGMASTER
$10,000-$15,000
- Your Own Custom Elephant: Exclusive design reflecting your brand
- Premium Location Choice: Museum, theatre, or downtown prime spot
- Logo Integration: Branded elements within the AR elephant animation
- Year-Long Recognition: All marketing materials, posters, maps, and social media
ELEPHANT
$5,000-$9,999
- Named Elephant Character: Custom elephant with your branding at the chosen location
- Medium-Traffic Location: Downtown business district or secondary attractions
- Educational Content: Your company story integrated into elephant interaction
- Social Media Partnership: Regular posts featuring your elephant
PERFORMER
$2,500-$4,999
- Shared Elephant Location: Joint sponsorship of themed elephants
- Business Location Placement: AR elephant at or near your business
- Credit Recognition: Prominent listing in elephant collection interface
- Cross-Promotion Opportunities: Link your location to the elephant trail
ARTIST
$500-$2,499
- Group Elephant Sponsorship: Part of community-themed elephant collection
- Local Recognition: Museum and website acknowledgment
- Trail Map Inclusion: Business listing on the official elephant hunt map
- Newsletter Features: Regular mentions in community communications
Make A Donation
Fun Fact…
How Much Does It Cost To Feed An Elephant For A Year?
Feeding an elephant can cost roughly $100 to $300 per day,
translating to approximately $36,500 to $109,500 per year.
Revenue Projections
Year One Targets
- Total Sponsorship Goal: $75,000-$125,000
- Anchor sponsors: 2-3 at $10,000-$15,000 level
- Community base: 15-20 businesses at mid-tier levels
- Supporting sponsors: 25+ at entry level
Return on Investment
- Brand Exposure: $5-10 per impression industry standard
- Community Goodwill: Immeasurable local relationship value
- Extended Tourism: Elephant hunting increases visitor dwell time by 2-3 hours average
- Social Amplification: User-generated content multiplication through collection sharing
- Repeat Visitation: Geocaching elements encourage return trips
- Year-Round Engagement: Seasonal elephant updates drive ongoing interest
Implementation Timeline
Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-3)
- Sponsor Acquisition: Secure founding partners
- Technical Development: Web AR platform creation
- Content Creation: Historical elephant animations
- Museum Integration: Partnership formalization
Phase 2: Launch (Months 4-6)
- Community Rollout: Local business partnerships
- Marketing Campaign: Regional Wisconsin promotion
- Media Coverage: Launch event and publicity
Phase 3: Growth (Months 7-12)
- Feature Enhancement: Additional AR content (e.g. giraffes, lions, zebras, wagons, etc.)
- Regional Expansion: Wisconsin tourism integration
- Performance Optimization: User experience improvements
- Annual Programming: Big Top Parade integration
Technology Advantages
Web-Based AR Benefits
- Universal Access: Works on all smartphones and tablets
- No Download Barriers: Instant engagement via QR codes
- Social Integration: Direct sharing to all platforms
- Easy Updates: Content refreshed without user action
- Analytics Tracking: Detailed sponsor performance metrics
Cross-Platform Compatibility
- iOS Safari: iPhone and iPad users
- Android Chrome: All Android devices
- Responsive Design: Optimized for all screen sizes
Community Impact
Local Business Benefits
- Increased Foot Traffic: AR elephant locations drive visitors to specific businesses
- Extended Stays: Elephant hunting extends visits from 2-3 hours to full-day experiences
- Social Media Exposure: User collection posts feature local business locations
- Partnership Opportunities: Cross-promotional marketing with the elephant trail map
- Treasure Hunt Appeal: Businesses become destinations rather than just stops
- Seasonal Traffic: New elephant locations create year-round visitation patterns
Educational Value
- STEM Learning: AR technology education
- Historical Preservation: Ringling Brothers’ story sharing
- Animal Welfare Awareness: Ethical entertainment messaging
- Community Pride: Celebrating Baraboo’s unique heritage
- Geography Skills: Location-based learning and mapping
- Collection & Achievement: Goal-setting and completion satisfaction
Success Stories & Precedents
Similar AR Tourism Projects
- Pokemon GO: Demonstrated location-based AR engagement and economic impact
- Geocaching Movement: 3 million active users worldwide seeking hidden treasures
- Historic Site AR Tours: Proven educational and entertainment value
- Museum AR Experiences: Enhanced visitor engagement worldwide
- Small Town Innovation: Technology revitalizing heritage communities
- Ingress/Pokemon GO Economic Studies: Businesses near Pokestops saw 30% foot traffic increases
Partnership Benefits
Potential Sponsor Recognition Opportunities
- Year-Round Visibility: Continuous brand exposure through your dedicated elephant
- Event Integration: Big Top Parade and community festivals featuring your elephant
- Educational Materials: School program acknowledgments and elephant-themed learning
- Media Coverage: Regional and specialty publication features of elephant discoveries
- Social Media: Ongoing content creation and sharing of elephant collections
- Completion Ceremonies: Recognition events for visitors who find all sponsor elephants
Potential Customization Options
- Branded AR Elephant: Company-specific elephant design, colors, and interactions
- Location Selection: Choose high-traffic areas that align with your business
- Educational Messaging: Sponsor values integration into elephant information
- Seasonal Updates: Special holiday or event-themed elephant variations
- Cross-Promotion: Multi-channel marketing opportunities linking physical and digital presence
- Achievement Rewards: Sponsor-provided prizes for completion of the elephant collection
Join Us in Making History
Be Part of Baraboo’s Next Chapter
- Limited Founding Sponsor Opportunities: Exclusive benefits for early partners
- Community Leadership: Associate your brand with innovation and heritage
- Measurable Impact: Detailed analytics and performance reporting
- Long-Term Partnership: Multi-year growth and development opportunities