Maine Man Becomes First Powerball Millionaire of the Year
A man from Maine has become the first Powerball millionaire of the year after winning a special competition which reached its climax in New York’s Times Square. Passadumkeag resident Blaine Marston said it felt as if he was dreaming when he was revealed as the winner during the television broadcast of ‘Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest’.
The ‘First Powerball Millionaire of the Year’ promotion was held across 25 participating state lotteries in 2019. It saw more than 300 lucky players win VIP trips to the Big Apple for the start of 2020 through a series of second chance drawings.
The winners and their guests were afforded a three-night stay in New York City, complete with a welcome reception at the Edison Ballroom, two theater tickets and a holiday cruise on the Hudson. Five finalists were selected in a drawing on Sunday to determine which players were in the running for the $1 million prize.
Cathie Ritchie from Nampa in Idaho, Rigoberto Hernandez Solorzano from Tennessee, Cecil Royce from Albuquerque in New Mexico and Kai Nichols from White Plains in New York were the others in with a chance of becoming the first Powerball millionaire of the year.
It was Marston who was randomly selected as the winner, though, with the final event taking place just after midnight at the Edison Ballroom. Country artist Jessie James Decker was the host and provided live updates for ABC.
“I can’t even believe it,” said Marston. “This is unreal, like I’m dreaming.” Marston was also congratulated by Gregory R. Mineo, the Powerball Product Group Chairman and Maine Lottery Director. He said: “This has been an exciting night in Powerball history. We look forward to creating even more millionaires in the New Year, while raising money for good causes supported by lotteries."
First Powerball Drawing of the Year
Another Powerball millionaire was created in the first regular drawing of the year on Wednesday night. A ticket sold in Missouri matched all five main numbers without the Powerball to net the player $1 million.
The winning numbers on January 1st were 49, 53, 57, 59 and 62, with a Powerball of 26. The jackpot was not won, so a top prize of $237 million will be up for grabs in the next drawing on Saturday night.
The jackpot has now rolled over 17 times in a row since a ticket sold in California won $150 million on November 2nd, making it an exciting start to the new year for players all over the U.S. The game is set to expand even more this year, with Mississippi poised to become the latest state to sell tickets later this month. Keep up to date with all the winning numbers after every drawing on Wednesday and Saturday nights.
Page Last Updated: 11/30/2022 2:37:07 AM ET
