JOHNSTON, Iowa - In partnership with Dick Clark Productions, POWERBALL has unveiled the five finalists who stand on the brink of winning the coveted $1 million grand prize in the "Powerball First Millionaire of the Year" promotion. This annual tradition, now in its fifth year, will see the lucky winner announced during the live broadcast of "Dick Clark?s New Year?s Rockin? Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2024," the premier New Year?s Eve special on television, airing on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

The anticipation is heightened as each finalist, listed below, has not only secured a place in the race for the grand prize but also won a VIP trip for two to New York City to partake in the New Year's festivities:

Finton Wallace - Rhode Island

Lora-Lee Casady - Idaho

Pamela Bradshaw - North Carolina

Maire Kelly Joyce - New York

Tracy Lacobie-Goeddel - Georgia

The journey to this grand moment began when participants entered the national Powerball promotion through one of 23 participating U.S. lotteries. These lotteries conducted second-chance drawings and contests throughout the year, contributing to the formation of a national pool of entrants. The selection of the five finalists occurred through a random draw from this national pool during a preliminary drawing held last month.

The participating lotteries that added excitement to the promotion include Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana (Hoosier), Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virgin Islands, and Washington D.C.

Recalling the thrill of the previous year, finalists from diverse corners of the country converged on New York City for a VIP experience. The highlight was an exclusive New Year?s Eve gala in Times Square, culminating in the highly anticipated $1 million drawing just after midnight. In 2023, Gary Krigbaum from North Carolina emerged as the Powerball First Millionaire of the Year.

As the clock ticks down to the final moments of 2023, the eyes of millions will be on the five finalists, eagerly waiting to discover who will be crowned the 2024 Powerball First Millionaire of the Year. The spectacle promises not only a momentous start to the New Year but also the realization of a life-changing million-dollar dream for one fortunate individual.