The Bradford Lions set up their booth at the corner of Barrie Street and Holland West during Carrot Fest, selling $100 tickets for their 65th annual Mammoth Draw.
They also brought along a little incentive: the shiny red Chevrolet Camaro that is the second prize in the draw, and the black Chev Silverado pick-up truck that is the grand prize.
And if that wasn’t inspiration enough, they reminded buyers that every ticket sold before 5 p.m. would be eligible for the second of three early bird draws for $1,000, taking place on the Carrot Fest stage.
The strategy worked. At the start of the day, more than 80 per cent of the 1,700 tickets had already been sold. By draw time, that was up to “over 90 per cent,” said past President Jamie Jones. “We have 1,533 tickets sold.”
The Lions had help from singer Cara Lea, who pulled the winning early bird ticket from the drum. Winner was Brian Fregeau (ticket 1615). His ticket was returned to the drum, to be eligible for the main draw, and for the third and final Early Bird, taking place Aug. 25, at Lions Community Awareness Day.
The annual draw is a major fundraiser for the local club, and supports a wide range of events and activities, from the Lions Aquatic Centre at the Leisure Centre and a new Field House at Henderson Memorial Park, to Southlake Regional Health Centre, minor sports, public speaking competitions, school bursaries, the BWG Santa Claus Parade and the Helping Hand Food Bank.
Each $100 ticket admits two to the main draw, taking place Sept. 8 at the Bradford and District Memorial Community Centre. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a Beef Buffet dinner, evening of social gaming and entertainment by Legends tribute artists, and the exciting elimination style draw. Last ticket in the drum wins the Silverado. The draw offers over $119,000 in prizes, in cash and vehicles.
Tickets are available from any Lion, or call 905-775-9170. Tickets will also be available at the Lions Community Awareness Day, Aug. 25 outside the Bradford Canadian Tire Store, 430 Holland St. W., from 1 to 3 p.m. The final Early Bird draw takes place at 3 p.m.
Jones has a warning, though: “Hurry – they’re selling fast!”
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service organization, with an estimated 1.5 million members in nearly 46,000 clubs, in 200 countries and geographic areas. Bradford’s club has been serving the community for over 80 years.
