LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Aleece Passman said at first she didn't believe it when she received a phone call from the Kentucky Lottery telling her she was chosen as this year's Festival Fanatic for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival.
"I was so shocked," Pressman said. "I almost forgot that the drawing was coming up. I thought, 'is this a prank? Is somebody pranking me? Oh wow, this IS real!'"
The Tennessee resident lives on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, and attended Murray State University. Although she has never been to Thunder Over Louisville, Pressman entered several tickets for a shot at being the 2025 Thundernator and it paid off.
Now she'll kick off her first Thunder Over Louisville experience with a bang. As part of her prize package, Pressman will 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 on 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," Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Matt Gibson said in a news release. "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."
Pressman's Festival Fanatic prize package also includes numerous one-of-a-kind Derby Festival-themed experiences, along with $500 in spending money from the Kentucky Lottery.
Fans had the chance to participate in the Lottery's Festival Fanatic drawing promotion over a more than month-long period, which kicked off Jan. 14.
"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."
In addition to being the 2025 Thundernator, Pressman will also receive the following:
• 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 (must be 21+), 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 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival merchandise item
• Overnight accommodations at The Galt House Hotel for Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 12
• Tour of the Thunder Over Louisville Command Center
Related Coverage:
- Kentucky Derby Festival bringing FamFest back to Floyd County April 4
- Kentucky Derby Festival expands 2025 lineup with new ParadeFest event
- Plan now for the best Thunder Over Louisville locations for April 12
- 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival Queen selected in downtown Louisville
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