(WAND) - On Wednesday night, some friends and family are getting together for the first time in months, kicking off the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. The night before Thanksgiving has become such a big drinking night, and it's now coined "Blackout Wednesday".

Many missed out on the night at the bar with friends last year due to the pandemic. Now, many are making up for lost time, but police said remember, they're out tonight too.

"With the amount of cars that are going to be out there tonight, it's going to be a little more obvious if you're out there. So just be careful, because like I said, we will be out in full force," Sgt. Scott Flannery with the Macon County Sheriff's Office told WAND News.

Flannery said college students especially may be used to living on campus and forget safe drinking practices when they're home.

"They've come from campuses where you can walk to wherever you want to go, you can walk home, you can Uber. Decatur they think 'I'm home, so I can drive home'. Just a recommendation - don't do it," Flannery explained.

Flannery suggested moving parties to a friend's house, where you can spend the night if you have one too many drinks. Regardless of where you intend to ring in the holiday, he said be sure to make a plan.

"Just think about it in advance. Because I think that the problem is when you get to 1, 2 in the morning, you might not be functioning right, so you stop thinking correctly. So make a plan in advance that way you have a plan once you're ready," Flannery added.

Over in Sangamon County, deputies will also be out in force, looking for drunk drivers.

"This and St. Patrick's day have become the problems for us, and actually the day after Thanksgiving is a problem for us," Sheriff Jack Campbell told WAND News.

Campbell secured an IDOT grant to pay for extra deputies to patrol Blackout Wednesday, stopping anyone without a seat belt and drivers who have too much to drink.

"(Because) you just spent $10,000 if those lights come on behind you. So again, be smart about it. If somebody in your household is drinking too much, get the keys from them and ensure we have a safe holiday," Campbell explained.

Police said if you indulge more than you planned to, call an Uber, taxi or friend to pick you up.