The Space Needle greets 45-millionth visitor with one big surprise

Story Published: May 19, 2007 at 6:22 PM PDT

Story Updated: May 21, 2007 at 9:23 AM PDT

By KOMO Staff

SEATTLE - It didn't pay to be first, but rather the 45-millionth.

Greg Novoa became the 45-millionth person to visit the Space Needle at 4:34 p.m. on Saturday. And for being at the right place at just the right time, he won an all-expenses paid, five-day trip for two to Paris.

"It feels great!" said Novoa. "I was like, 'excuse me?' We've never won anything before in our lives!"

Novoa, who lives in San Francisco, was visiting Seattle with his wife, two kids and father-in-law.

The giveaway was in celebration of the Space Needle's 45th anniversary.

The Space Needle opened to the public back in 1962 at the Seattle World's Fair.

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