Pat Kirilenko is all smiles in her 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Julia Lovett-Squires

Free Ride

Win on the first key: A historic moment for Summer Free Ride

Sep 7, 2024 | 5:07 PM

On a hot summer’s day in the parking lot outside of the Boston Pizza, hundreds of people looked on as Pat Kirilenko slipped the first key of the day into the toolbox and turned.

What happened next was a jaw dropping moment for everyone: the 2016 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk had a new albeit overwhelmed owner.

Pat Kirilenko is left in tears and shock after her key opened the lock. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“I didn’t think I could be that lucky,” she said after the historic moment in the 93.3 Beach Radio’s 4th annual Summer Free Ride contest.

The day seemed made for serendipity. 93 people registered for the draw and Pat Kirilenko said she was supposed to be combining today with her family outside of Cando.

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“They said ‘Come on in Mom, you need to do this,’” she said of her family’s support.

Nic Fransoo, program director for Pattison Media, said he was still shaking after the surprise win.

“I don’t know if there’s ever been a contest like this that has ever ended this way,’ he said.

The event kicked off with music, laughter and registration. Once that was all set, keys were put into a bag for the draw.

“Then we call their names, they come up pick a key out of the bag at random, try it in the lock on our treasure chest,” he explained of the method.

“We had 93 keys that would fit in that padlock, only one of them would open it.”

Hopefuls get directions from from station staff during the 93.3 Beach Radio Summer Free Ride event. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The Jeep was given a full upgrade from sponsors OK Tire, C&C Auto, Four K Auto, Sound City AUV, Ultra Print, Country Ford, FFUN Dodge North Battleford, Elliott Insurance Services Ltd., Splish Splash Auto Wash, Northtown Autobody, Red Pheasant Centex Gas Bar, Vista Towing, Sutherland Automotive, Kirks Trail Tire, Canadian Tire North Battleford, Oil Can Charlie’s, PineRidge Ford, Floata’s Automotive and Nutec Embroidery and over the months received new tires, rims along with upgraded stereo system and a wash.

“She literally wins a free vehicle and that’s the end of it and hopefully, hopefully, we’ll have more to give away again next summer,” said Fransoo.

Hopefuls wait for the draw to begin. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

As for the new owner, it’s to be a gift for her granddaughter who has her eye on it though her family won’t believe she actually won.

“’Mom you’re pulling our leg, they won’t believe me. Not the first key and the first person, I can’t believe it,” said Kirilenko of their expected reaction.

As for where she plans to drive it first?

“Probably home when I get a chance.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

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