All is quiet on the western side of Cape Breton Island Friday afternoon.
But on Saturday, the streets of Inverness will be filled with great expectations.
Thousands will flock to the town, hoping to win the Chase the Ace jackpot that’s around $1 milion or more.
The card game phenomenon has been going for months, and some residents says they’re nearing their fill of it.
“I’ll be glad when it’s over,” says one Inverness resident, laughing.
“Well I seen the good, and I seen the bad, but this here is unbelievable, really,” says Legion bartender Mike Fraser.
Many people were relieved to hear this week that if the jackpot doesn’t go on Saturday, then Oct. 3 will be the last play date, and a winner will be chosen.
“We live in a small community. Everyone is doing their very best and are putting in a lot of effort and time,” explains event organizer Cameron MacQuarrie. “We just got to a point where we reached our limit.”
Ticket bundles are being prepared at the Inverness Cottage Workshop; part of the money raised will go toward a new building for the community living facility.
The fundraising has gone beyond what anyone would have guessed.
“We thought it would be a partial help,” says Cindy O’Neill, executive director at the Inverness Cottage Workshop. “It’s been, it’s made such a difference.”
Once again, the RCMP have brought in parking restrictions and are advising visitors to carpool, if possible.
“We want to ensure that emergency services are uninterrupted and unhindered,” explains Cpl. Chatele Eagen ofthe Inverness RCMP. “We want to make sure that everyone gets out of town safely.”
It’s expected the population of Inverness, which is typically 1,500, will increase by 10 times on Saturday.
If the jackpot isn’t won on Saturday, it’s expected those numbers will be even larger the following weekend.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Dan MacIntosh.
