WINNER WILL BE THIS YEAR’S THUNDERNATOR
April 18, 2022. Louisville, KY. – Through a special second chance promotion sponsored by the Kentucky Lottery, Louisville resident Lillie Ingram won the opportunity to be this year’s Derby City Fanatic for the 2022 Kentucky Derby Festival. As part of her big win, Ingram will serve as the Thundernator for the Derby Festival Opening Ceremonies: Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 23.
Ingram is excited to get to participate in the festivities. She will have the opportunity to provide the Thunder countdown and “zero” ignition to activate the launch system sequence in the Command Center at the Galt House Hotel. Ingram’s Derby City Fanatic prize package includes six one-of-a-kind Derby Festival-themed experiences and $500 in spending money.
This is a special win for Ingram and couldn’t come at a better time. She was the long-time caregiver for her father, Lawrence Ingram, who sadly passed away just a few weeks ago. Between taking care of her father and also working as a professional caregiver, Ingram says her days were completely filled with making sure the well-being of others was taken care of. Not only will the events she’ll get to enjoy as the Derby City Fanatic be some of the first things she’s been out to do since his passing, Ingram says she’s always wanted to participate in the Derby Festival – but wasn’t able to due in part to her father’s care. “I’ve wanted to go to things like Thunder for years, but I needed to take care of my father instead,” she said. “Now I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning!”
There were over 10,000 entries in the promotion which kicked off on February 7th. Players signed in or registered for a Fun Club account at www.kylottery.com. Once logged in, they were able to submit an eligible non-winning KENO or CASH POP tickets worth $5 or more for a chance to be named the 2022 Derby City Fanatic.
Ingram won a VIP Experience package that includes: Serving as the 2022 Thundernator, VIP tickets to Thunder Over Louisville, Tickets to Republic Bank BourbonVille, A tour of Churchill Downs with an exclusive gift from the Kentucky Derby Museum; A behind the scenes tour and experience at Kern’s Kitchen/Derby-Pie ®; Tickets to the Great Steamboat Race aboard the Belle of Louisville; Seats to Derby Festival Day at the Downs on Thurby; and $500 in spending money.
Thunder Over Louisville – the Derby Festival’s Opening Ceremonies – is one of the more than 70 events produced by the Derby Festival in the spring. It provides an estimated impact of $56 million to the area’s economy. The 2022 Thunder Over Louisville – themed “The Legend Returns” – is set for Saturday, April 23. It will be the 33rd production.
