NORTHERN KENTUCKY WOMAN WILL BE THIS YEAR’S THUNDERNATOR
March 25, 2026. Louisville, KY. – A Northern Kentucky woman has won the Kentucky Derby Festival jackpot! Through a second-chance promotion, sponsored by the Kentucky Lottery, Carol Irvin of Dayton, Kentucky, has been named Festival Fanatic for the 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival. As part of her lucky win, she will also serve as the Thundernator for the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies, Thunder Over Louisville, on Saturday, April 18.
“For more than a decade, the Kentucky Lottery has helped us select our Festival Fanatic, and it’s always a highlight of the season,” said Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO. “As the Thundernator, you’re at the center of Thunder’s biggest moment, and with the show’s return this year, it’s even more special.”
Irvin is kicking off her first Thunder Over Louisville with a bang! 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. Her Festival Fanatic prize package also includes numerous one-of-a-kind Derby Festival-themed experiences and $500 in spending money from the Kentucky Lottery.
She was on her way to work when the Kentucky Lottery called with the news, but she nearly let the call go unanswered. “It was 10 minutes before I had to be at work and my phone rang. I never answer my phone,” she said. “I saw a 502-area code and thought, ‘Who is this?’ so I finally answered it.”
Irvin is a past Kentucky Lottery winner, but says this experience is unlike any other. “I can’t wait until April gets here!” she said.
Fans had the chance to participate in the Lottery’s Festival Fanatic promotion from Jan. 8 through Feb. 5. Eligible entries included $5 or more Pick 3 or $5 or more Pick 4 tickets.
“We are thrilled to have selected Carol as the 2026 Festival Fanatic from thousands of Pick 3 and Pick 4 players across the state,” said Kentucky Lottery President and CEO Maggie Garrison. “It’s exciting that Carol is a previous Kentucky Lottery winner and is now one of our second-chance promotion winners, experiencing the Kentucky Derby Festival in the best possible way. We appreciate the ongoing partnership with Matt and the entire KDF team to make this an experience of a lifetime for Carol.”
In addition to being the 2026 Thundernator, Irvin also receives:
- Derby Festival Ticket Package, including tickets to the Shepherd Insurance Great Steamboat Race, Kentuckiana Honda Dealers Festival Day at the Downs, Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport Thunder Over Louisville VIP Rooftop Party, Republic Bank BourbonVille, and the Zoeller Pump Company Pegasus Parade;
- Certificate for private tour of Kern’s Kitchen DERBY-PIE® factory;
- Certificate for Kentucky Derby Museum Tour;
- Official 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival merchandise;
- Overnight stay at The Galt House Hotel for Thunder Over Louisville
- Tour of the Thunder Over Louisville Command Center and;
- $500 in spending money from the Kentucky Lottery
