Memorial Day weekend is bringing a much-needed boost to local businesses at Smith Mountain Lake after the COVID-19 pandemic.

While that’s good news for some businesses at Smith Mountain Lake this Memorial Day, it’s far from business as usual. For many, spending Memorial Day at Smith Mountain Lake is a summertime tradition, but this year, it's an experience that's anything but traditional. “It’s just nice to get out of the house and see other people out of the house,” said Brittany Massey, who’s visiting the lake. It feels really great,” said Sheila Mohab, who’s also visiting the lake. On top of the bathing suits and boats, hitting the lake comes with a few more essentials this year.

LEFT: Vicki Gardner RIGHT: A WDBJ truck is parked at Bridgewater Plaza on Smith Mountain Lake on August 26, 2015 in Moneta, Virginia. Vicki Gardner is suing WDBJ for $6 million in damages in an amended lawsuit. After being fired, Flanagan filed a lawsuit against WDBJ that was dismissed July 2, 2015, a few weeks before the shooting. The suit claims WDBJ never performed a background check when it hired Flanagan. At this time, the suit claims Gardner's medical expenses due to the shooting have totaled $221,850.