Wheel of Fortune star Vanna White surprises superfans during North Myrtle Beach homecoming tour

NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — For Wheel of Fortune superfans David and Mary O’Brien, taking a curated bus tour of Vanna White’s favorite hometown spots in North Myrtle Beach on Sunday would have been an experience on its own.

But they never could have guessed the surprise in store for them once they arrived at Hoskins Restaurant for breakfast, where the TV legend herself was there to greet them.

“It was a great experience meeting with her and seeing her for the first time,” David O’Brien said.

The O’Briens were winners of News13’s CaraVANNA giveaway hosted by Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton.

White grew up in North Myrtle Beach, and the bus tour made stops at her childhood home, elementary school and other notable locations.

The O’Briens love doing puzzles, and said Wheel of Fortune fits perfectly into their passion.

“Wheel of Fortune is a fun time. Interesting and challenging all at the same time,” David O’Brien said.

The O’Briens ended the day with a dance-off and chance to win merchandise at the O.D. Pavilion.

“I hope everybody has a chance to come down and enjoy what we have in our everyday lives,” David O’Brien said.

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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Hannah Huffstickler is a multimedia journalist at News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2024 after graduating from Coastal Carolina University in December of 2023. Keep up with Hannah on Facebook , X, formerly Twitter , and Instagram . You can also read more of her work here .

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