Jersey Shore town turning on parking meters early ahead of Trump rally

WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) -- Ahead of former President and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump's planned rally in Wildwood, the Jersey Shore destination is making a change.

It should earn them some change, too.

The City of Wildwood will start charging for metered parking spots one week early this year - conveniently turning them on just before the Trump rally brings huge crowds ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.

In a normal year, the city doesn't start enforcing parking meters until May 15 , according to the municipal code - but that's four days after Trump will be in town.

"The Wildwood Police Department would like to announce that the parking meters in the City of Wildwood, will be active starting Thursday, May 9, 2024. The parking meters will remain active for the remainder of the 2024 season," The City of Wildwood Police Department wrote on Facebook.

Trump's rally is set to take place on the Wildwood Beach at 5 p.m. Saturday with doors opening at 12 p.m.

Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. and Commissioners Steve Mikulski and Krista McConnell signed a resolution approving the rally last month. In a joint statement, they said it would be "a great boost to our town at the start of the summer season".