LOUISVILLE, Ky. — We are 75 days from the official kickoff of Kentucky Derby season, Thunder Over Louisville. 

What You Need To Know

  •  Kentucky Derby Festival searching for 2023 "Derby City Fanatic"

  •  The winner will also start Thunder Over Louisville

  •  To enter, players need to get a Keno or Cash Pop ticket from the Kentucky Lottery

  • The winner will be chosen in March

The Kentucky Derby Festival and Kentucky Lottery are once again searching for the 2023 Thundernator. The Thundernator is the person who starts the fireworks for Thunder, one of the country’s largest fireworks display.

KDF will name one lucky winner 2023 "Derby City Fanatic" and treat them to a prize package filled with several one-of-a-kind Derby Festival experiences and $500.

In a statement, Derby Festival President & CEO Matt Gibson said, “The Derby City Fanatic is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience the Derby Festival like a VIP. We enlist the help of the Kentucky Lottery each year because they’re the experts at giving away valuable prizes. We can’t wait to meet this year’s winner!”

To enter, any eligible Keno or Cash Pop tickets costing $5 or more can be entered from Feb. 6, 2023 and March 19, 2023. Players must sign-in or register for a Fun Club account at kylottery.com or via the Kentucky Lottery app. Once logged in, a player will submit an eligible Keno or Cash Pop ticket for a chance to be named the ‘Derby City Fanatic.’ All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 19, 2023. The drawing for the "Derby City Fanatic" will take place on or about Thursday, March 23, 2023.

Winner and guests must be 18 or older. The winner will receive:

  • VIP tickets to Thunder Over Louisville for the Thundernator and guests
  • Accommodations at The Galt House Hotel during Thunder Over Louisville weekend;
  • Tickets to Republic Bank BourbonVille (attendees must be 21+);
  • A tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum;
  • A behind-the-scenes tour and experience at Kern’s Kitchen/Derby-Pie ®;
  • Tickets to the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race aboard the Belle of Louisville;
  • Seats to Derby Festival Day at the Downs on Thurby;
  • $500 in spending money from the Kentucky Lottery; and
  • Official 2023 Derby Festival merchandise/swag, including the 2023 Official Poster

For a complete list of prizes and information, visit kylottery.com.

 

Related Stories