McHenry VFW Post 4600: More than 1 million tickets sold for Tuesday's drawing

The Queen of Hearts raffle will draw thousands of people to the McHenry Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4600 on Tuesday night, organizers predict.

The promise of winning millions keeps people flocking to the post, 3002 Route 120, for the 8 p.m. drawing every Tuesday.

Last week, the jackpot swelled to $6,077,599. The game has seen an explosion of interest as the jackpot grows. Organizers recently added a tent with outdoor seating to accommodate the crowds.

More than 1 million tickets for Tuesday’s drawing already have been sold, VFW Cmdr. Dwane Lungren said Monday. Route 120 was backed up most of last week, and Tuesday should be no different.

“We’re as ready as we can be,” Lungren said. “I think this weekend was a good dry run. ... We have five overflow [parking] lots.”

Route 120 will be right turn only to the enter the VFW.

Time is running out to join the contest, as only eight envelopes with playing cards remain. The remaining envelope numbers are 20, 25, 30, 36, 38, 40, 51 and 54.

If the queen of hearts is chosen, the winner will earn 60 percent of the pot, which is about $2.4 million after state and federal taxes.

An additional 20 percent of the pot would go back to the VFW, and the final 20 percent would go to starting the next pot, which the VFW announced will start Jan. 8. If no one wins, a drawdown will occur Sept. 18.

The VFW was closed Monday, as it is every week, but that didn’t stop some people from stopping by.

“It’s the impatience that ruins it for everyone else,” Lungren said, adding that he can’t let anyone in when the establishment is closed.

Lungren said he’s heard of people driving from Pennsylvania and Iowa to buy tickets. The VFW’s phone has been ringing off the hook.

“It’s been crazy,” he said.