LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) - The search for this year’s 2024 Derby City Fanatic has come to a close. Kentucky Lottery announced this year’s Thundernator will be a Louisville native.
Leslie Lyon Sr. was chosen to be this year’s Derby City Fanatic for the 2024 Kentucky Derby Festival. He will serve as the Thundernator for the Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies at Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 20.
As the Thundernator, Lyon will provide the Thunder countdown and “zero” ignition to activate the launch system sequence in the Command Center at the Galt House Hotel, the release said.
“Being the Derby City Fanatic is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Derby Festival like never before,” Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO Matt Gibson said. “This year also marks a special milestone as it’s the 35th production of Thunder Over Louisville and the Kentucky Lottery also turns 35.”
Lyon, a lifelong Louisvillian who lives in Fairdale, said he’s been playing the Kentucky Lottery since it started and PICK 3 is one of his favorite games. He says entering his tickets for a shot at being the 2024 Thundernator definitely paid off.
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“[It’s] one of the ones I win on the most,” he said.
Lyon is already counting down the days to playing a key role in his first Thunder Over Louisville.
“Turning the key (to start the fireworks) is what I look forward to most,” he said.
The Lottery’s Fanatic drawing promotion kicked off Jan. 15 with more than 19,000 entries submitted over two months.
“Every year we look forward to meeting the Kentucky Lottery’s Derby City Fanatic, and it was a thrill to meet Leslie and his family,” Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville said. “The Kentucky Lottery is proud to be a KDF sponsor and to have this lottery winner be the Thundernator, pressing that button to start the largest annual fireworks show in North America on Thunder Day, plus have a front-row spot for some amazing experiences. Our promotion truly creates a lifetime of Derby Festival memories.”
The Derby Fanatic prize package includes around 10 unique experiences in addition to being the 2024 Thundernator. Lyon will also receive the following:
- Tickets to the Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder VIP Rooftop Party;
- Accommodations at The Galt House Hotel during Thunder Over Louisville weekend;
- Tickets to the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race;
- Tickets to Honda World Festival Day at the Downs on Thurby;
- Tickets to Republic Bank BourbonVille (attendees must be 21+);
- A tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum;
- Private tour at Kern’s Kitchen/Derby-Pie ®; and
- Official 2024 Derby Festival merchandise/swag, including the 2024 Official Poster
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