Smith Mtn Lake State Park alternative to July 4th travel Gene Marrano July 4, 2014 1 minute read One way to avoid July 4th holiday traffic on the highways – and major storms at the beach resorts – is a “staycation,” at venues like Smith Mountain Lake. WFIR’s Gene Marrano reports: Share: Post navigation Previous: What fire officials do at fireworks sites before the shows beginNext: Vinton’s 4th of July Celebration is tonight Related Stories 3 minutes read Virginia’s largest business program and competition readies for another year Denise Membreno January 20, 2026 0 1 minute read A Longer Listen with Vicki Gardner, who writes about that fateful day in August 2015 and its aftermath in memoir, Survival Has Consequences. Gene Marrano January 20, 2026 0 1 minute read Yes, Center in the Square IS moving away from a museum-heavy space to one based on interactive entertainment: its intentional Gene Marrano January 19, 2026 0