Thousands are expected to descend on Seaside Heights Thursday evening for the start of a three-day music festival. The festival will be headlined by such bands as Mumford & Sons and Alabama Shakes.

Police officers spent most of Thursday canvassing the area where the crowds will gather for the Seaside Heights Stopover Music Festival. They were making sure everything will be safe for the guests.

Only people with special wristbands will be allowed on the beach near Grand and Porter avenues during the festival. People without tickets will be permitted on the northern end of the boardwalk at Casino Pier and on Ocean Avenue so they can hear the music.

Seaside Heights Borough Administrator Christopher Vaz urges visitors to avoid coming in by Route 35 on the barrier island. The suggested route is via the Parkway to Exit 82, then east on Route 37.

Residents of Seaside Heights have been given special tags for their cars so they will be allowed to travel freely to get home.

Shuttle buses will be available to anyone from all Toms River high schools, and a bus will bring boardwalk employees over from Seaside Park.

Once the concerts are over at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the entire boardwalk will reopen to the public.