POSTED June 24, 2009 --- 11:32 a.m.

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Dane Fire Department, will be offering festival goers in Dane a free ride home this weekend.

In an effort to keep intoxicated drivers off the road, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office accepted a traffic safety grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

The grant will allow the Sheriff’s Office to not only provide additional enforcement in the area, but to also organize a safe ride program for anyone consuming alcohol at the festival.

The safe ride bus is being provided by First Student and will run from 9:30 pm until 2:30 am on Friday, June 26th and Saturday, June 27th.

Community festivals are a great Wisconsin summertime tradition and the Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to support their local communities and enjoy the festivities.

But when the party is over, don’t drink and drive.

These days nearly all of the community festivals offer a safe ride program.

Take advantage of them or arrange for a designated driver.

The Sheriff’s Office along with other local law enforcement will be providing an increased presence in the Dane area this weekend and at other community events throughout the summer.