Countless fans across the world have eagerly awaited Lucky the Lobster's arrival in Okotoks, and the day has finally come.
Thanks to the help of numerous supporters across Canada, the plushie and lobster trap successfully made it to Okotoks on Sept. 6, where a welcome celebration was held at Hub Town Brewing.
Lobster Quest from East to West started in Charlottetown, P.E.I. after Chris and Karen McCallum were gifted a large lobster trap there — unable to fit it on a plane, they enlisted the help of Canadians to help the trap and plushie make their way to Okotoks, with Lucky making stops everywhere from the Maritimes to Saskatchewan.
The stuffed crustacean became a viral sensation as the Lobster Quest TikTok channel has accumulated over 22,000 followers since Lucky's journey began in July.
"We just wanted someone to transport the trap to our home," said Karen. "That was it. We never, ever thought that it would [be]... so exciting, so heartwarming, we've just got endless stories of what this little guy did for various people across the country."
After arriving in Calgary and making a few stops throughout the city, Lucky was brought down to Okotoks by members of Tourism Calgary.
The remarkable feat was made possible thanks to the kindness of strangers who volunteered to drive the large trap across Canada.
"We just trusted Canadians would do the right thing," said Karen. "We've always been proud Canadians, but this little lobster and this whole journey has just instilled our pride as Canadians."
Lucky's trip across Canada included stops in relatively obscure places such as Indian Head, Sask. and Nyrman, Alta. — one handler took it upon themselves to take Lucky to five different reserves in Ontario.
"The Ontarians really wanted to show off their province," said Karen, adding that a pub in the town of Hanver named a drink "Lucky Shot" after the eponymous lobster.
People throughout Canada who came across Lucky took it as an opportunity to showcase their provinces, with paraphernalia from various towns, cities and communities being stuffed into the lobster trap.
With Lucky's fanbase extending beyond Canada, the journey was an opportunity to educate outsiders on Canadian history and culture.
"When the handler [in Ontario] took it to Thunder Bay to the Terry Fox Memorial, [online audience members] were like 'who's Terry Fox?'" Chris said. "That gave us kind of a cool opportunity to talk about one of our national heroes... he cemented himself in our hearts and it was cool to be able to share that with everybody around the planet."
The McCallums are eager to show off Okotoks and the Foothills to the tens of thousands of people across the country who have followed the journey.
"We really want to show Okotoks to the world," said Chris.
The McCallums have ambitious ideas for Lucky going forward, ranging from taking him hunting up north to bringing him to the West Coast for a dip in the Pacific.
