A group of lucky North Carolinians are spending the holiday weekend on a VIP trip to New York City, waiting to see if a North Carolina man becomes the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year on New Year’s Eve.
They won the trip for two in a second-chance drawing held by the N.C. Education Lottery as part of the “Powerball First Millionaire of the Year” promotion and are now enjoying their good luck. The prize includes an exclusive New Year’s Eve gala in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, three nights’ hotel accommodations in Times Square, tickets to a Broadway show, and $1,000 in spending money.
On Thursday night, the group enjoyed a welcome dinner together at The Terrace in the Marriott Hotel in Times Square. On Friday, some will attend a production of The Lion King.
One of the eight, Gary Krigbaum of Spindale, has a chance on New Year’s Eve to become the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year. He is one of 29 finalists for the $1 million prize on New Year’s Eve. Krigbaum did not make the trip, but sent his daughter in his place.
The $1 million drawing will occur just after midnight on ABC’s broadcast of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023.” During the show, a drawing will be held to pick five finalists from the 29 for the $1 million drawing.
The other North Carolina trip winners are:
• Chris Brady of Raleigh
• Katherine Klonis of Kill Devil Hills
• Marjorie Donadio of Wake Forest
• Andrea Teopantzin of Hickory
• Mark Womack of Angier
• Christina Chestnut of Charlotte
• Ethan Erickson of Fuquay-Varina
Powerball ticket sales make it possible for the lottery to raise $2.5 million a day on average for education.
Editor’s note: Attached are photos of Marjorie and Keith Donadio of Wake Forest and Christina and Rado Chestnut of Charlotte arriving at the welcome party Thursday night in New York City.