Kentucky Derby Festival selects 2025 Thundernator
Resident Aleece Passman is this year’s Festival Fanatic for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) -The Kentucky Derby Festival announced this year’s 2025 Thundernator with just a few days left until Thunder Over Louisville.
Resident Aleece Passman is this year’s Festival Fanatic for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival. She will serve as the Thundernator for the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 12.
“The Kentucky Lottery has helped us pick the Festival Fanatic for more than a decade, and each year is like giving away the Kentucky Derby Festival jackpot,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “Being the 2025 Thundernator isn’t just a role, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience the magic of Thunder like never before.”
The Murray State graduate was selected through purchasing a Kentucky Lottery ‘Fast Play Win Ticket.’ Passman lives near the Kentucky-Tennessee border in Springville.
“Every year we look forward to announcing the Kentucky Lottery’s Derby Festival Fanatic,” said Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Mary Harville. “The Kentucky Lottery is proud to be a Kentucky Derby Festival sponsor and to have this lottery winner be the Thundernator, turning that switch to start one of the largest annual fireworks shows 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.”
She’ll have the unique opportunity to provide the Thunder countdown and “zero” ignition to activate the launch system sequence in the Command Center at The Galt House Hotel.
“I was so shocked. I almost forgot that the drawing was coming up,” Passman said. “I thought, ‘is this a prank? Is somebody pranking me? Oh wow, this IS real!’”
Passman’s prize package includes several unique KDF experiences.
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