Friends pack bars night before holiday

Amy Wieliczka, left, and Clare Echterling enjoy a night out at Harbor Lights, 1031 Mass., before Thanksgiving. The two became friends during high school but now live far apart. They meet up a few times a year during the holidays.

The lights were down, the mood was loose and the beer was flowing. It was Wednesday night, but it felt more like a Friday at Harbor Lights, 1031 Mass.

With old friends back in town and people with nothing to do but stuff themselves the next day, it was time to celebrate early.

Amy Wieliczka grew up in the Kansas City area but now works as a computer programmer in Berkeley, Calif. She came to Lawrence on Wednesday to meet up with an old high school friend. They make time to see each other when they won’t be busy with family gatherings.

“We see each other a few times a year during holidays,” Wieliczka said.

Natassja Lomas was also out with friends. For her, Thanksgiving doesn’t have the same meaning as it does for Americans because she grew up in England.

But she liked the lighthearted spirit.

“My family doesn’t really celebrate, but I feel like everyone is a lot more jolly the night before Thanksgiving,” Lomas said.

Chris Brower said he normally doesn’t go out on Wednesday nights, but not having to wake up early was incentive enough. He’ll be spending Thanksgiving Day in Overland Park with family,

For Brower, the night before Thanksgiving isn’t better than family time. It was just different.

“The family day is pretty fun, too” Brower said.