Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot Approaches $400 Million For Friday Drawing

The stakes are absurdly high for the North Carolina Education Lottery Mega Millions drawing, with a jackpot of $393 million up for grabs. This would be a colossal win for lottery players in the Tar Heel state.

The next drawing for the Mega Millions jackpot takes place tonight at 11:00 PM. The winner of tonight's drawing (if there even is one) would have the choice of taking home the $393 million jackpot as an annuity or $181.5 million in cash.

The odds of winning a Mega Millions lottery jackpot are 1 in 302 million. While those odds certainly aren't ideal, recent local lottery wins in North Carolina have proven that it can happen in our neck of the woods.

It was just two months ago that a Fayetteville resident won a staggering $1 million lottery prize from the Mega Millions. Similarly, a player in Burlington won $2 million from the Mega Millions lottery just last month.

In a recent news release, executive director of the NC Education Lottery Mark Michalko shared his hopes that the recent momentum of lottery luck will carry over into tonight's Mega Millions drawing.

"Big jackpots bring big excitement for players dreaming of winning a life-changing prize," said Michalko. "We would love to see that happen in North Carolina tonight."

The news release also revealed that over 17,000 winning tickets from Tuesday's Mega Millions drawing were in North Carolina. While none of them won the jackpot, perhaps that could change with tonight's drawing.

You can buy Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location, through Online Play on the lottery’s website or by using the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

For details on how money raised by the lottery makes a difference for education programs in all 100 North Carolina counties, visit the North Carolina lottery’s website and click on the “Impact” section.

Gambling problem? Call the NC Problem Gambling hotline at 877-718-5543. You can also visit www.morethanagame.nc.gov for more information.

Fourth at the Fort - which won't be on July 4 this year - has a lineup for 2024, as Fort Liberty announced the artists performing at the annual celebration.

First, it's worth pointing out that this year's event will not be on July 4, which falls on a Thursday. Instead, Fort Liberty officials moved the celebration to Saturday, June 29.

"Happening Saturday, June 29th at the Main Post Parade Field. Yes, June 29th! This year will be our BIGGEST event yet!" Fort Liberty Family and MWR said in its Facebook post announcing the Fourth at the Fort. "We will have not one, not two, but THREE artists plus the 82nd Rock Band to celebrate with us! The three artists are from three different genres - there will be music for everyone to enjoy."

Hip hop artist Flo Rida, country duo Maddie & Tae, and rock-pop ground Plain White T's will be the musical acts performing this year.

Last year's event drew over 60,000 people to the Main Post Parade Field, with Sheryl Crow and Gavin DeGraw performing.

Fort Liberty isn't alone in moving its main celebration off of the weeknight, as the Town of Hope Mills has also moved its day-long celebration to Saturday, June 29, as well. The City of Fayetteville is holding its symphony event in Festival Park on July 4. The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will be out of town on July 4, but Segra Stadium will play host to the US Collegiate National Team for a game that night, as well as fireworks.

But let's take a look at the three artists scheduled to perform at Fourth at the Fort at Fort Liberty on Saturday, June 29.

Country duo Maddie & Tae are best known for their huge country hit "Girl in a Country Song," but they've been staples of the radio since 2014.

Best known for their hits "Hey There Delilah" and "1-2-3-4", the pop-rock group has been together since high school.

Welcome to MY HOUSE! Flo Rida has over 100 million records sold, and is one of the best-selling artists of all time, according to the release from MWR.