John and Mimi McGee of Milton win 2013 Toyota Corolla

John McGee of Milton made the “big catch” Jan. 9 when the Hertrich Family of Automobile Dealerships and the Big Fish Restaurant Group gave away a brand-new car.

The giveaway party, held at Firestone Roasting House in Wilmington on the Riverfront, was a culmination of the Big Catch Car Giveaway, a three-month-long contest  sponsored by the Hertrich Family of Automobile Dealerships and the Big Fish Restaurant Group that received more than 4,000 entries. Guests at each dealership and restaurant were encouraged to enter by Dec. 15 to win a brand-new 2013 Toyota Corolla.

In January, 100 finalists and their guests were invited to the giveaway party. The evening included 99.5 WJBR, live acoustic entertainment from Marty and Brandi of Cherry Crush, hors d' oeuvres and cocktails.

At 7:30 p.m., Michael Lundin, director of operations for the Hertrich Family of Dealerships, joined Holly Monaco, Big Fish Restaurant Group’s director of dining operations, on stage to draw the winner from the final fishbowl.   John McGee was the winner.

After their win McGee's wife, Mimi McGee, explained their excitement. “Someone must have had their hand in that bowl; I mean out of 100 people they pick us! We’re still in shock,” she said.

The grand prize for the Big Catch was a brand-new 2013 Toyota Corolla, but the contest rules state that the winner may choose another Hertrich vehicle valued at up to $20,000. “We’re thinking about another Nissan Maxima. We used to drive a Maxima from Hertrich Nissan. We loved it, but it was a lease and we had to give it back, sadly,” said Mimi McGee.