MIDDLETOWN, PENNSYLVANIA – The Pennsylvania Lottery and officials with Powerball® today announced that a Chester County man, who won a special Pennsylvania Lottery Online Prize Drawing, will have a chance to win $1 million in a special drawing on the upcoming broadcast of ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.” Brian Mineweaser, 49, is one of five top finalists from lottery players across the nation who will have a chance to win the big prize this upcoming New Year’s Eve after the ball drops in Times Square. He was awarded $2,022 for winning the PA Lottery Online Prize Drawing. Additionally, for being one of five top finalists he was awarded an at-home New Year’s Eve party package that includes a $10,000 cash prize, among other prizes. Those prizes are in addition to his entry in the $1 million drawing that gives him a chance to be the “Powerball® First Millionaire of the Year.”
“It’s just so surreal!” said Mineweaser. “It’s amazing that I have a chance to win $1 million. If I won, the money would help me put my four kids through college.”
“I’m extremely nervous to appear on national TV, but I’m excited! I’m sure it is going to be a very exciting night,” added Mineweaser.
Twenty-nine lottery jurisdictions are participating in this promotion, which in Pennsylvania also included a Second-Chance Drawing. The other finalists moving on to the New Year’s drawing are Linda Perkins from Aurora, IL; Aaron Rose from Slaughter, LA; Robert Long from Waterloo, IA, who represents a group of 22 lottery players called Lotto 22; and Shari Beenken from Titonka, IA.
“We like to remind our players that it only takes one ticket to win the experience of a lifetime or a life-changing jackpot prize,” said Pennsylvania Lottery Executive Director Drew Svitko. “We hope Pennsylvanians tune in on New Year’s Eve to watch this special Powerball drawing and Brian appear on the broadcast. We wish him luck.”
Last year, “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” took viewers to each of the five finalists’ hometowns. Just after midnight, Carlos Mabry from Washington, D.C. was named the 2021 Powerball® First Millionaire of the Year.
For more information on the Powerball® First Millionaire of the Year promotion, please visit www.powerballrockineve.com.