Answer:
I give people a huge fright but at the end I'm sweet. I normally celebrate at night when there's less heat.
They are many and one, they wave and they drum, used to cover a stare, they go with you everywhere.
Alone I am 24th with a friend I am 20. Another friend and I am unclean.
I am commonly ate before I'm born and after I'm dead.
You can drop me from the tallest building and I’ll be fine, but if you drop me in water I die. What am I?
In your fire you hear me scream! Creaking and whining yet I am dead before you lay me in your hearth.