McIvers chase the ace won, $725K jackpot goes to Flat Bay man
5,742 people purchased tickets in massive fundraiser for town's come home year
Josh Nash of Flat Bay drew the winning ace at the McIvers chase the ace event Sunday evening, instantly winning $725,913.
Nash, 34, told reporters after the win that he and his partner Julie MacDonald, along with other family members, went in on the ticket five ways.
His winning cheque! <a href="https://t.co/pErHd5LYvK">pic.twitter.com/pErHd5LYvK</a>
—@colleencbcThe big win finally ends 50 weeks of build up, with Sunday's draw coming down to three cards, and Nash's name picked from thousands of tickets sold.
Before the line was finally cut, organizers said 5,742 anxious people had walked through the town hall to buy tickets to get in on the chance to win.
The lottery fundraiser has been put off by the McIvers Come Home Year 2017 committee, with their portion of the cash going towards town events for next year's celebration.
Tickets at Chase the Ace in McIvers. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cbcnl?src=hash">#cbcnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/08Tj0SvixA">pic.twitter.com/08Tj0SvixA</a>
—@colleencbcReports of traffic congestion across social media throughout the day gave a sense of just how popular the event has become.
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The town's fire department, which handles traffic control, was asking all contestants to park their vehicles facing their route out of town. Above all else, they urged drivers to be patient as the small town of 571 is not built for such congestion.
The RNC in Corner Brook also warned drivers to take their time on the road into McIvers. Route 440 is the only way in and out of town, and an accident could hold up traffic in both directions and hamper the draw. The RNC have increased patrols on the highway for the evening.