Elmo is Coming to Great Hollow Lake

Parents who like to take photos of their children at Character Dinners at Great Hollow Lake for family memories and greeting cards have one more chance this summer. Elmo will be the featured guest in the beach area on Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

"This was rescheduled from a rain-out last week," Parks & Rec. Dir. Frank Cooper said Tuesday. "Don't miss your last opportunity to go to a Character Dinner."

Parks & Recreation's Character Dinners are popular among families with young children and include stars such as Mickey Mouse, SpongeBob SquarePants, Spiderman and Clifford the big red dog.

Michael Basso of Lake Zoar Drive-In and his staff will sell food, drinks and snacks in the concession area of the beach at Great Hollow Lake and Cooper said there will be a big moon bounce for the kids.

"Photos can be used in making Christmas cards for relatives, particularly at a time when they can remember how warm it was in August," Cooper said.

In addition to the beach being open, Cooper said the lake has been open for swimming for quite a while. Rain during the last two weeks of July had raised the bacteria count, but readings have been low ever since, he said.