'It's been just marvellous': McIvers Come Home Year is aces

The drive into McIvers is a colourful one this week.

Approaching the western Newfoundland town of 600 people, there are plenty of signs and decorations to welcome visitors who will triple the population.

About 1,700 people are taking part in the community's first Come Home Year this week.

It was definitely worth it.- Pat Gambin

And thanks to last summer's highly successful — and publicized — chase the ace, the town is having a bigger party than originally planned.

For people who live in McIvers and who were part of the chase the ace madness last year, this week is the payoff for all the town's hard work, according to Pat Gambin, who helped out with traffic control and folding tickets.

"It was definitely worth it," Gambin said, adding it's been nothing but good vibes around the town.

"It's been just marvellous to see everything coming into place."

The committee originally started chase the ace to raise a few thousand dollars.

But when the ace of spades was drawn before the jackpot could escalate, the committee decided to try its hand one more time.

Organizers got lucky, and raised more than $900,000 for this week's celebration. 

The hype of the game was good for both the community and the Come Home Year, according to Dawn Volpatti, who now lives in Wabush and watched as her hometown swept news headlines each week.

"We were cheering them on from afar," she said, adding she wasn't going to miss the party.

The Come Home Year committee had plenty of funds to throw a big bash, but chose to give back to the community first.

With the money raised, they made donations to the fire department and put a new playground in the town. 

But the organizers also wanted to step up the festivities and show a good time to the people who haven't been back in a while.

Bigger budget, bigger bands

The entertainment budget went up, allowing the group to bring in bands like the Navigators and Shanneyganock.

For Scott Twyne, who left McIvers 23 years ago and now lives in Barrie, Ont., he's grateful organizers had more money to spend on entertainment.

"It's pretty amazing. I've been here every night just listening to the music and catching up, but I've just been impressed with the whole setup here," he said.

And it's not just the adults who are reaping the benefits of a big entertainment budget, the kids had plenty of games and activities to enjoy. 

Nine-year-old Sophie Couto of Cambridge, Ont. spent an afternoon with new friends and cousins she only sees every couple years, playing laser tag and other carnival games. 

"I've been having a lot of fun. I got to run in these big balloon balls," Couto told CBC.

The town's first Come Home Year wraps up on Saturday and despite early signs of success, organizers still shudder when asked about doing another chase the ace.