NASHVILLE—The Tennessee Lottery selected three finalists on Wednesday to participate in “Millionaire Live!”, a grand prize drawing for $1 million to be held in Memphis on Saturday, Oct. 22. In addition to the $1 million grand prize, there are two other prizes of $10,000 and $25,000, making all of the finalists winners.

Additional details about the drawing, which will be broadcast throughout the state on the Lottery’s partner stations will be announced soon.

The finalists were drawn from more than 225,000 entries mailed in from players who earned an entry through one of two instant ticket games, “Tennessee Millionaire” and “Volunteer Millionaire.” By playing one of these $1 games, players had a chance to win a variety of prizes, one of which was an entry ticket into a preliminary drawing with the chance of winning $1 million in a grand prize drawing event. (These two games are no longer available.)

The three finalists are:

Ann Strong, 59, of Alamo, Tenn., northeast of Memphis. Ms. Strong works with seniors at Tennessee Health Management in Parsons, where she has worked as a recruiter for 18 years. A former Register of Deeds in her native Crockett County, Ann keeps busy with her two-year old Shih Tzu, Mckenzie, and spending time with her mother. If she wins the $1 million grand prize? “I’ll take care of my mother and will continue doing what I do,” she says.

Alvin Bhones, 52, of Madison, Ala., west of Huntsville. Mr. Bhones, who has been married for 29 years, has two children, one grandchild and is a millwright at Delphi. He is active in his church and enjoys traveling to visit his extended family. Mr. Bhones, who celebrated a birthday on Monday, says he will welcome a trip to Memphis. If he wins the million, he says he might retire, but would definitely travel and increase his donations to charity.

Peggy Brady, 64, of Lancing, Tenn., northwest of Knoxville. Mrs. Brady and her husband of 22 years, Victor, own their own coast-to-coast trucking company and stay busy with work and family activities. Peggy says that if she wins the $1 million grand prize she will be able to provide an education for her two grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

“We’re looking forward to another exciting event, which is fun for players and also a great opportunity for us to spotlight the incredible amount of funding we’ve raised for education programs,” said Rebecca Paul, CEO and President of the Tennessee Lottery. “It’s gratifying to turn players into winners while helping students and families throughout the state.”

This is the third and final Millionaire Live! event. The 30-minute program will be produced by the Tennessee Lottery and Memphis’ WMC-TV. The past two events were held in Nashville and Gatlinburg.

The Tennessee Lottery began selling its first tickets on Jan. 20, 2004. As of June 30, 2005, the Lottery had raised more than $359 million to fund specific education programs, including college scholarships, pre-kindergarten and after-school programs.