Winnebago County Police Offering Free Rides Home Thanksgiving Eve

Unless you're one of those who starts celebrating way too early, Thanksgiving marks the kick-off of the holiday season.

You'd think New Year's Eve is the biggest night of the year people go out, but Winnebago County Sheriff Gary Caruana would disagree and say "Black Out Wednesday" or "Drinksgiving" is bigger, according to My Stateline.

We know that the day before Thanksgiving is a big day for the liquor establishments. People home for college, or people coming from all over to be with their family, it’s a long weekend, and it kind of kicks off the holiday season.”

Sheriff Caruana continued:

I think that, sometimes, we actually have more people out on the road the day before Thanksgiving than New Year’s Eve,” “I tend to believe we’re going to have some pretty good numbers that night.”

That's why they're extending their free ride program to the night before Thanksgiving too and it's thanks to Hayes Distribution Company.

Since it's the biggest bar night of the year Hayes Owner Jim Hayes said collectively it was an idea everyone could get behind.

The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office will be offering rides starting at 9p until 3a, but you must go home. They're not going to take you to another bar.

No one should feel awkward contacting an officer for a ride either. First off it's an incredibly responsible thing to do and it's a lot cheap than a DUI.