Flagler Beach is preparing for more than 20,000 people to hit the beach for the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

  • About 20,000 people expected at Flagler Beach over the weekend
  • Flagler Beach Police: No drones or sky lanterns allowed at the beach
  • Click here for Fourth of July safety tips

"We don't want to arrest underage kids for drinking, so just don't do it," said Capt. Matthew Doughney, of the Flagler Beach Police Department.

Thousands are expected to line the Flagler Beach boardwalk and sand to watch the fireworks on Monday, and police are making sure beachgoers know the rules.

Don’t bring drones or sky lanterns to the beach.

Doughney said about 200 sky lanterns were flying around after last year’s fireworks display, and they present a huge risk to the airways.

"These drones create conflicts of airspace, and we just don't need that," Doughney said. "Whether it's a drone or a sky lantern, the last thing we need is the helicopter pilot to be dodging flaming lanterns that are going up."

Summer Clayborne said she and her family will be headed to Flagler Beach for the annual parade, as well as the nighttime fireworks display.

"If there is an emergency and the helicopters are out there and you've got that thing flying around, that could make a huge different," she said.

The emergency helicopter will be on standby.

The Flagler Beach Police Department requested the state's help to have additional law enforcement help along the beach.

Doughney said there weren't any arrests on July 4, 2015, and beachgoers are thankful for the extra security.

"There's nothing wrong with having extra," Clayborne said. "It's better to have extra than none at all."