With the Powerball jackpot climbing past $1.7 billion, lottery fever is sweeping the nation. On December 24 here in Erie, customers lined up to try their luck.

From first-time players to regular hopefuls, the energy at Kelleys Market is high.

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With the jackpot reaching record highs, customers in Erie are grabbing their tickets and sharing dreams.

Despite astronomical odds, many shoppers say they are taking a chance, if not for the money, then for the excitement.

Arleen Thompson bought tickets for her work pool. She said they come back cause they’ve won before.

“Yeah, the first time we won $76 and reinvested it. Second time we won, I can’t remember what we won the second time. But then this time, this last time we won $16 and reinvested it,” said Thompson.

Bill Rose is the owner of Kelleys Market in Erie. He said they get lots more foot traffic when the powerball is high.

“Yeah, lots of people come out who don’t usually play. They’ll play when it’s big like this,” said Rose.

Some people are buying these tickets for themselves, some are buying them for their kids, or others for Christmas, and others? Well, they’re buying it for their big business to share the jackpot, assuming they will win the big one.

“I would spoil a lot of people, and then there are a lot of homeless people and a lot of vets that need help. So I’d help the poor people. I’d probably spend it all there before I buffer myself,” said Thompson.

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“Lottery sales are big, especially Christmas time, and with Powerball this high, it’s compounded, it’s great,” said Rose,

“Normally, I don’t play, but it was so big, how could you not? I guess the anticipation of whether or not you just donated to the cause,” said Thompson.

Sales at Kelley Market have noticeably picked up since the jackpot reached historic levels, with some customers admitting they never usually play but today feels like the day.

Hope and excitement were all around as that jackpot continues to climb.

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