BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — This year, worshipers at one Easter sunrise service in Brevard County will have to pay to pray. The outdoor sunrise service is an annual tradition at Jetty Park and it's always been free.
But now, the Canaveral Port Authority wants to charge people to get in.
Crowds lined up Thursday, paying $5 to get into Jetty Park to enjoy the beach and soak in some spring break sun. The parking attendants will be collecting the fees all weekend, even Easter Sunday morning when hundreds of visitors are expected for sunrise service.
Pastor Cliff Woodrum, who presides over the Easter service at the beach, hopes it won't deter worshipers.
"The atmosphere is just phenomenal," he said.
Woodrum said the church has offered services for 35 years at Jetty Park and worshipers never had to pay for parking before. The head of the Port Authority said that should have never happened.
"I do not know how that happened. Jetty Park was operated by a private contractor for years and they did not have the right to let people in for free," Port Canaveral CEO Stan Payne said.
The Port advised the church last Easter, if it wanted parking fees waived, the church needed to apply like other non-profit organizations. The church didn't.
The port is offering free parking at a cruise terminal just outside the park, but worshipers will have to walk about a quarter of a mile to the beach, in the dark, and some worry that's too far for elderly and could be a hazard. So the church is now providing a shuttle and the Port is providing more staffing and lighting.
The Port CEO said parking revenues pay for multi-million dollar upgrades at Jetty Park and a waiver must come from the Port Commission, which was never asked for one for sunrise services.
The city of Cocoa Beach waives fees at some of its parks for Easter Sunday services.