Thousands pack Marco Island beach for Easter sunrise service

MARCO ISLAND, Fla. (WINK) — Thousands gathered on the sand for a long-standing Easter tradition, a sunrise service complete with prayer and a live band.

Hundreds of people filled the beach, while boats dotted the water offshore. Locals and visitors said they had never seen the beach quite like this.

Michael Moses, a Marco Island visitor, described the scene.

"Thousands and thousands and thousands of people and probably 100 boats all coming here to participate in the Easter celebration of the rising of Christ," Moses said.

Michelle and Alessandra Shellard, Marco snowbirds, were among those in attendance.

"I love seeing the thousands of people, and we're all here for the same message. No matter how we celebrate, we're all united. It's amazing," they said.

From the front row, just steps away from the stage, attendees took in the live music. The Shellards praised the performance.

"He's a wonderful musician. He has a tremendous voice. Instrumentalists are fantastic, and it's very uplifting, perfect for the holiday," they said.

Moses said the music drew him out of bed.

"I heard it from over there. How do I stay in bed? So I got up, had a cup of coffee, and came over here, and the closer you get, the more you hear it was like, it's truly a religious experience," Moses said.

The sound stretched across the sand and drifted into the Gulf. People sat in beach chairs, curled up on towels, snapped photos and soaked it all in.

Moses reflected on the meaning of the holiday.

"Spending time with family during the holidays, family you love and you know you appreciate, and like it, it gives a purpose to the rest of the year," Moses said.

The Shellards spoke about the unity they witnessed.

"I love seeing that we're all gathered here and all united under the larger umbrella of Christianity, and it's really uplifting to see that everyone from different walks of life can all gather here today, on such a special holiday, and be here to worship our Lord, who's resurrected today," they said.

From the prayers to the hymns, everyone said the early wake-up call was worth it for Easter on Marco Island.