LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Thursday, Jan. 8 marks 100 days until Thunder Over Louisville, the kick-off event of the Kentucky Derby season, and your Kentucky Lottery tickets could win you the ultimate Derby Festival experience.
Again this year, the Kentucky Lottery and the Derby Festival are teaming up to give one lucky winner a one-of-a-kind Derby Festival-themed experience, like being the official Thundernator, the person who starts the largest annual fireworks displays in the nation.
"After not being able to hold the event in 2025, we’re all counting down to its return this spring, Matt Gibson, Kentucky Derby Festival President & CEO, said in a release. "Being named the Festival Fanatic and serving as the Thundernator is like hitting the Festival jackpot."
In addition to being the Thundernator, the winner will receive the following:
- 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 2026 Kentucky Derby Festival merchandise item
- Overnight accommodations at The Galt House Hotel for Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 18
- Tour of the Thunder Over Louisville Command Center
- $500 in spending money from the Kentucky Lottery
Kentucky Lottery Pick 3 and Pick 4 tickets can be entered for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind Derby Festival-themed experience until Feb. 5, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Kentucky Lottery)
To participate, any Kentucky Lottery $5 or more Pick 3 or $5 or more Pick 4 tickets can be entered during the promotional period -- Jan. 8 through Feb. 5, 2026. Players must sign up for a Fan Club account via the Kentucky Lottery website or app. Players then submit eligible tickets into their accounts for a chance to win.
The drawing for the 'Festival Fanatic' will be on or about Monday, Feb. 9, 2026.
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