CORNELIUS, N.C. -- Lake Norman's first beach in 30 years is set to open Saturday.
With large crowds expected to be on the lake all weekend for Memorial Day, here are a few details to help prepare you for your first visit.
The beach is relatively small, so no large pop-up tents are allowed. Instead, you can use an umbrella for shade.
"They're welcome to bring chairs, small cooler, things to keep them comfortable while they're here," said Chris Hunter with the county Parks and Recreation Department.
You also can't fish in the beach area, or bring your pup.
"We can't have any pets on the beach area as well," Hunter said. "There's a dog park within Ramsey Creek Park, but not inside the beach area."
Construction crews were putting some finishing touches on Friday. Hunter says their most important project may have been something actually in the water.
"We've got a buffer between the swim boundary and where boats come in because we certainly want to keep those two items separate," Hunter said.
Indira Persad agrees. Her family is coming tomorrow to celebrate her grandson's birthday.
"Safety's always first, and I really appreciate that they have the yellow markers that tell people don't go beyond this point," Persad said.
"At least five life guards on duty at all times," Hunter said. "We'll have a good crop of life guards we'll be rotating in throughout the day."
Hunter can't predict how many people will come to the beach this weekend, but they're expecting a pretty large crowd.