North Carolina Man Wins Massive Jackpot Thanks to Grocery Store Lottery Ticket

Author Alexis Zarycki

April 4th, 2022 11:40 PM

Have you ever been in the grocery and bought a lottery ticket from the machine? I have and I have never won over $2.

A man named Neal Badolato wanted to test his odds, so he bought a lottery ticket in a grocery store. Neal purchased a North Carolina lottery scratch-off ticket at a Harris Teeter in Cornelius. After some scratching to his happy surprise, he won a massive amount.

Neal won the $2 million grand prize with his $20 Diamond Dazzler ticket purchase. This is according to N.C. Education Lottery officials. Neal collected his prize on Friday and decided to take the lump sum. Neal took home $852,126 after taxes, lottery officials said. The odds of winning a prize is 1 in 3.07, according to the North Carolina Educated lottery website.

20 Fun Things To Do This Spring In Charlotte

• Visit Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

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  While DSBG is open year round, perhaps the most gorgeous time to visit is in the spring while all the flowers are blooming. It's just a short drive from uptown Charlotte. The Garden is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. DSBG is located within 380 acres on the banks of Lake Wylie. You can experience spectacular gardens, sparkling fountains, a conservatory dedicated to the display of tropical plants and orchids, a visitor pavilion, a garden store and nature trails.

• Go to a farmers market

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  The Charlotte area has several farmers markets you can shop. The Charlotte Regional Farmers Market is located on Yorkmont Road and open Tuesday-Saturday and is state run. There is also the Mecklenburg County Market, Matthews Farmers Market, Davidson Famers Market, Southend Market, and several others.

• Attend an outdoor concert

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  April kicks off outdoor concert season at PNC Music Pavilion and the Charlotte Metro Credit Union Amphitheater. Both venues offer a wide variety of music styles so you're sure to find something you're interested in.
• Walk or bike on a greenway

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  Mecklenburg County has 62 miles of greenway to explore. You can view a full list of them at https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Parks/Greenways/Pages/default.aspx

• Spend the day at the Whitewater Center

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  Whether you want to hike, raft, bike, zipline, attend an event, drink, or just watch the WWC is a must do in Charlotte.

• Attend A Horserace

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  You don't have to go all the way to Churchill Downs. Did you know Waxhaw is home to a horse race? Get dressed in your finest, tailgate, place a friendly wager, and take in all the excitement of the Queens Cup Steelechase. This years event will be held April 30th at Brooklandwood.
• Take Some Swings At Topgolf

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  Spring is the perfect time to visit one of Charlotte's two Topgolf locations. Grab your friends for some friendly competition. Make sure to try the food and drinks. The injectable donuts are a must eat!

• Spend the day at the Carolina Raptor Center

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  The Carolina Raptor Center is located on 57 acres inside of the Latta Nature Preserve. The self guided raptor trail is approximately 3/4 mile long and features over 20 species of birds. Guests can photograph the animals and learn more about them.

• Shop at the Charlotte Premium Outlets

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  Between the spring clothes and the nice weather there's no better time to visit the outlets. And with over 100 stores and great deals you're sure to find something to take home. Maybe something to wear while you cross some other things off this list?
• Picnic in the park

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  Or walk, watch your kids play, fish, bike, or any other activity. My personal favorite is Freedom Park but the city and county have plenty of options! Another favorite is McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie!

• Get spooked on a ghost tour

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  I love ghost tours and they are a must do when I visit a city. But you don't have to travel to see and hear some haunts. You can learn about Charlotte's darker history one on of several ghost tour offerings!

• Attend a Charlotte Knights Game

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  Charlotte is home to one of the best minor league baseball stadiums in the country. The Knights host theme nights, wine nights, thirsty Thursday, and more so even if baseball isn't your favorite sport you can still have a wonderful time!
• Take the short drive to the Zoo

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  Both the North Carolina Zoo (Asheboro) and Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia) are about 90 minutes from Charlotte. The spring weather is perfect for the animals and guests alike!

• Take a funny bus tour

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  The Funny Bus offers the perfect blend of laughter and learning about the history of Charlotte. This hilarious 90 minute city features a comedian host and is BYOB.

• Ride the rides at Carowinds

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  The theme park is now open on the weekends and this is a great time to visit and check out some of the best coasters in the country.
• Drive through the Lazy 5 Ranch

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  The Lazy 5 Ranch is home to over 750 animals from 6 different continents. You can drive through or take a wagon ride. Animals include giraffes, sheep, goats, zebras, and more!

• Grab a beer or wine

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  I know, I know breweries are perhaps the most basic Charlotte thing ever. But they are popular for a reason. If beer isn't your thing Kings Mountain is home to a good winery and the Yadkin Valley is just a short drive away.

• Learn at the Charlotte Nature Museum

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  The Charlotte Nature Museum is actually part of Discovery Place. It's located at Freedom Park and features animals, nature trails, an insect alley, nature pavilion, and more!
• Experience the inaugural Charlotte Football Club season

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  The team set MLS attendance records in it's first game, but there will be plenty of other opportunities. Don't miss your chance to check out the city's newest team.

• Get fancy at the Duke Mansion

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  The Duke Mansion is gorgeous in the spring time. They host Cocktails In The Garden in March, Music in the Garden monthly, and other dinner events periodically!

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Author Alexis Zarycki

Category:

• Fox Sports CLT
• Lifestyle
• Local

Tags:

2022,lottery,North Carolina