The first early-bird draw for $1,000 in the Bradford Lions Club’s 66th annual Mammoth Draw is only days away.
On July 1, as part of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Canada Day celebration at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre, the Lions will be pulling a winner from the tickets sold by that time – and then will return the ticket to the drum, for the remaining two early-bird draws and the main draw on Sept. 7.
This year, Lions are offering ticket-holders a chance at more than $115,000 in prizes – including cash, a second prize of a 2019 Chevrolet Malibu, and the grand prize of a midnight blue Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck.
Tickets also admit two to an evening of entertainment at the community centre (old arena) on the night of the elimination-style draw, featuring a roast-beef-on-a-bun buffet, social gaming, and dancing to music by DJ Vinnie Vegas, Fresh Horses tribute to Garth Brooks, and VJ Luka Miller.
It’s a major fundraiser for the Lions, supporting community projects that in the past have included minor sports, the food bank, Santa Claus Parade, major donations to Southlake Regional Health Centre, and a long-standing commitment to recreation in Bradford West Gwillimbury, from the Lions Aquatics Centre to the new Fieldhouse at Henderson Memorial Park.
But there has been one change this year.
In the face of rising costs, the Lions had a choice: cut back on the value of the prizes, print more tickets, or up the price. They opted to increase the ticket price to $120 - while holding the number of tickets to only 1,700, and continuing to offer $500 in cash to the first, 100th, 200th, etc. tickets drawn, $1,000 to $2,000 to the final tickets in the drum, and two vehicles as top prizes.
Tickets are available by calling 905-775-9170 or from any Bradford Lions Club member, and at selected retail outlets – Canadian Tire, Leo & John’s Car & Truck Sales, Bradford Sobeys, The Flower Merchant, Currie Truck Centre, The Car Guy Auto Service, Pet Valu, Decorator’s Edge, Bradford Print Shoppe, Bradford Rental Sales & Service, and The Village Inn.
Early-bird draws take place on Canada Day, Aug. 17 (Carrot Fest), and Aug. 24 (Lions Appreciation Day).
