OLD ORCHARD BEACH (WGME) – Despite high gas prices and a new COVID surge, the unofficial start to summer has people from across the country heading for Maine.

The sights and sounds of Memorial Day weekend have arrived in Old Orchard Beach.

“It’s busy, people are here and excited to be back,” Tiki Hut Owner Elena Barnes said.

Businesses are preparing with all hands on deck.

The Tiki Hut has 35 employees ready to work this weekend.

“We’re really lucky, everyone from last year is coming back, we like to build a really fun culture, I mean it’s fun drinking a rum punch outside, so yeah, we’re really lucky with our staff,” Barnes said.

They’re hoping for good weather, their regulars, out-of-staters and Canadians to come out in full force.

“We have put in so much work to kind of prep and get ready and prepared for all our staff and ready to have some fun, and we’re hoping to have a good crowd and some good weather,” Tiki Hut Assistant General Manager Calli Murray said.

“A lot of returns from Canada and things like that,” Royal Anchor Resort General Manager Mike Williams said. “Last week we were full and sold out.”

Williams says the moment the borders opened in January, they had a flood of phone calls booking rooms.

“To have them back, to have them booked, is just a blessing,” Williams said.

He says high gas prices might impact some weekends, but overall, he expects to be booked and busy.

“I think this summer is going to be busier than it was even in 2019, pre-pandemic,” Williams said. “You have everyone now from Canada in the state and it’s kind of a territory war, ‘Who’s going to get the rooms?’”

Palace Playland is opening for the season this weekend, as well.