Excitement palpable as Caledonia’s Catch the Ace jackpot nears $420K

The excitement in Caledonia is palpable as residents gear up for their chance to win the growing “Catch the Ace” jackpot.

The event has entered week 43, and while there have been some draw winners, no one has managed to “catch the ace” quite yet.

Tonight’s estimated jackpot is a cool $420,000 — and there are only 10 cards left.

A portion of the ticket sales from the weekly draw roll over into the progressive jackpot until someone manages to get lucky not once, but twice, and pull the sought-after ace of spades.

Jayne Aldridge won last week’s draw prize, but when it was her turn to “catch the ace,” she pulled the three of spades.

While not the big progressive jackpot she may have hoped for, she’s still happy with her $22,000 prize.

READ MORE: Anticipation rises as Caledonia ‘Catch the Ace’ jackpot grows

“I’m saying to my husband, ‘Oh my god, I won!’ It really was a nice surprise,” Aldridge said. “It’s going to a great cause, it’s just nice to support locally, the dollars are being spent locally — for many things that are in need.”

Half of the proceeds from the charity draw will go back to the Community Support Centre for Haldimand-Norfolk.

Tickets are still on sale but must be purchased in-person on location at the legion at 29 Caithness Street East, Caledonia.

Every Thursday a name is pulled from the tickets sold that day, and that person will win the weekly jackpot and have a chance to win the grand prize if they choose the correct envelope containing the ace of spades.

On Thursday afternoon people lined up outside the legion with hopes of catching the ace themselves.

It is the 43rd week of the contest and there are ten cards left. One ticket cost $10, or you can get three for $20.

Ticket sales will began at 1 p.m. today and go until 7:40 p.m. with the draw at 8 p.m.