Great America collecting flip-flops for PADS

You can't go through summer without a good pair of flip-flops.

With that in mind, Six Flags Great America in Gurnee is working with PADS Lake County to host Flip Flop Day on Friday, June 19.

Guests to the park are asked to bring a new pair of flip-flops to Hurricane Harbor in exchange for free entry to the water park, said Katy Enrique, the amusement park's communications manager.

The flip-flops will be donated to people in need by PADS, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, and comprehensive resources to families with children and individuals experiencing homelessness in Lake County.

In addition to free entry, the Hammerhead and Barracuda tube slides and Typhoon and Vortex whirlpool slides will be available only to donating guests between 5 and 6 p.m. that day, Enrique said.

"Flip Flop Day is a fun and easy way to come out and help your community," said aquatics manager Heather Blair. "Hurricane Harbor boasts more than 30 different water attractions and four of those will be open exclusively to those that donate."

Enrique said visitors will still need to pay entry into Great America. Those who bring new flip-flops to donate will not have to pay the extra $7 to enter Hurricane Harbor.

Flip Flop Day is the first of two charity promotions the theme park is having for PADS this summer, Enrique said. Great America will donate to the shelter the money collected in the pond outside of Columbia Carousel at the end of the year.

"Great America is proud to partner with PADS of Lake County," she said.

Hurricane Harbor is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this summer. The 20-acre water park was the largest expansion in Six Flags Great America's history when it debuted in 2005.

For tickets, visitors are urged to go to sixflags.com/greatamerica.