Former fighter and city councilman Al Lindsey gets a “life-changing” Nut Club half-pot

Nut Club members wear these chords on their iconic straw hats. The Half Pot Raffle began in 2019 and has raised more than $9 million to date.

Recently, the West Side Nut Club in Evansville announced its largest half-pot total ever at the Fall Festival. Sales totaled $2,000,070, surpassing the $2 million mark for the first time.

This was achieved through ticket sales before and during the fall festival.

According to Nut Club 2024 PR Chairman Brandon McClish, there were more than 54,000 ticket transactions. This does not take into account how many tickets were sold in each transaction.

McClish said that thanks to the raffle, about $1 million will be donated to local nonprofits, which will be announced next year.

“So everything we do goes back to the community,” he said, adding that everything is supported by volunteers. “That’s why we’re very proud of the hat we wear.”

Since 2019, the Half Pot has raised more than $9 million.

Al Lindsey, a former firefighter and city council member, is the 2024 Half Pot winner. He shares the prize three times with his son and daughter and their families.

Lindsey accepted his award at a press conference with his family present. He said he was willing to accept this publicly despite accusations that the Half Pot was rigged.

“My family and I are forever grateful to this organization for this wonderful gift,” he said. “It is a life-changing event for me and my family, and we will forever be indebted 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, his daughter and her family and himself.

When he bought the ticket, he agreed to split the prize with his son and daughter and their families if he won.

As a personal detail, he said his son was born 46 years ago during the Fall Festival.

Regarding the allegations of “tampering,” Nut Club says it is following the letter of the Indiana Gaming Commission law.

McClish urged everyone to check them with the Gambling Commission.

The Nut Club is also celebrating by personally delivering $800,000 in checks to local schools and nonprofits as part of its Founder's Day event.

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