Recently Evansville’s West Side Nut Club announced their largest Fall Festival half pot total so far. Sales amassed $2,000,070, surpassing $2 million for the first time.
This was accomplished through tickets sales prior to, and during the Fall Festival.
There were more than 54,000 ticket transactions according to 2024 Nut Club Publicity Chair Brandon McClish. This doesn’t account for how many tickets were sold in each transaction.
McClish said thanks to the raffle, about $1 million will be given to local non-profit organizations, to be announced next year.
“So everything we do goes back in the community,” he said, adding that everything is volunteer-driven. “So we take a lot of pride in the hat we wear.”
Since 2019, the half pot has raised more than $9 million.
Al Lindsey, former firefighter and city council member is the winner of the 2024 half-pot. He is splitting the prize three ways with his son and daughter and their families.
Lindsey claimed his prize at a news conference with his family behind him. He said he came forward to publicly accept it amid accusations that the half pot was rigged.
“My family and I are forever grateful to this organization for this wonderful gift,” said. “It is a life changing event for myself and my family, and we will be forever indebted and thankful to the west side nut club.”
Lyndsey buys tickets every year, but this year he bought $100 worth of tickets on three different days — one for his son and his family and his daughter and her family, and himself.
While purchasing tickets, he had agreed to split the prize with his son and daughter and their families, should he win.
As A personal detail, he said his son was born 46 years ago during Fall Festival.
Regarding the allegations of being “rigged,” the Nut Club says it follows the letter of the law by the Indiana Gaming Commission.
McClish challenged anyone to check them out at the gaming commission.
The Nut Club is also celebrating hand-delivering $800,000 in checks to local schools and non-profits as part of their Founder’s Day Event.
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