Night before Thanksgiving for reunions

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Thursday is the big day for food and football. But Wednesday night it's all about friends finding each other at restaurants and bars.

By Wednesday night most people have safely arrived at their Thanksgiving destinations and are eager to catch up with their families and old friends. But before they spend the day around the table tomorrow, many head out to begin their visit on the town.

Millions of us zipped around the country to get home in time for their Thanksgiving traditions-- and that means millions of reunions and a lot of catching up to do.

“I am just out to spend the night with my family. All of my cousins are here We like to just hang out the night before Thanksgiving, to start off the holidays with family. It's awesome,” said Laura Sugermeyer of Hampden.

“Our lives are so busy now. It's so nice to be able to forget about work. Get together with family and friends, sit back, have a few cocktails, talk about what's going on with life,” said Jared Buell of Boston.

And it's not just families who are looking forward to reconnecting.

“Your coworkers, friends from high school. It's good to just catch up and see what everyone is doing for the holidays. Everybody's home from school, it's nice,” said Nicole Aubuchon of Springfield.

For the bar and restaurant industry, The night before Thanksgiving is one of the year's best for business.

“It's actually one of the biggest nights of the year. A lot of work. You're tired at the end of it but it’s a lot of fun. Definitely worth it,” said Cara Raschilla who manages Samuel’s in Springfield.

Make sure your group has a safe plan for getting home at closing time. State police from all six New England states are working together this Thanksgiving to crack down on impaired drivers.