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A Rutherford County man, Gary Krigbaum of Spindale, rang in 2023 by becoming the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year and winning $1 million.
Krigbaum's win occurred just after midnight on January 1 when he won the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year drawing during ABC's broadcast of "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2023." Krigbaum did not make the trip to New York City but his daughter, Sarah K. Day and her husband Josh made the trip on his behalf and represented him at the Times Square event.
"Dad, Dad, I'm bringing home a million dollars," Day shouted to her father after she won on live television.
Sarah, who was interviewed from her home in Nashville, Tennessee, on January 2, said her dad was not able to travel and asked if she would be willing to go in his place.
"And honestly he was most excited to be able to give my husband and I this trip. It was all expense paid, VIP trip to New York. So it was such a blessing to me to have that experience. We knew the odds of 1 in 29 was the best chance most people would ever have at winning a million dollars. But I had never imagined it would actually happen," Sarah said.
"I was so honored he asked me to go on the trip, and we had such a wonderful time. But by far it was the best feeling to call him after the ball dropped and say, 'Dad you just won'."
"Our family is overjoyed. My Dad has worked so hard over the years to care for his family, and we have gone through some hard times. So it's really incredible for us to see him have this stroke of luck. We are thanking God," Sarah said.
Sarah said her dad is a man of few words so she and Josh offered comments on his behalf.
The journey to NYC
Krigbaum's journey to winning the $1 million began with a second-chance drawing held by the N.C. Education Lottery. In that drawing, he won not only the trip as part of the "Powerball First Millionaire of the Year" promotion, but became one of 29 Powerball players chosen nationally for a chance in the $1 million drawing.
On New Year's Eve, during the broadcast, he became one of five chosen to get an entry in the $1 million drawing. Then, shortly after midnight, the "NC" ball came up in the drawing and Krigbaum won the $1 million prize.
"I don't know what to say," Day told the host of the show, Ryan Seacrest, on national TV. " I want my dad to have as much of it as possible. I want him to go fishing and get his truck and whatever he needs."
Day said her dad is due for an upgrade to his truck. "He been driving the same truck for 20 years," Sarah said.
Sarah is a graduate of R-S Central High School and is an RN at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital.
