Surely, in this day and age, we can all agree that using a groundhog to predict the weather is silly, unscientific, and inaccurate. But a lobster? Well, that’s a forecaster that we — or at least Nova Scotians — can get behind.
This Groundhog Day, Nova Scotians decided to let a lobster take a crack at predicting the seasons, in addition to the traditional groundhog. In front of an appreciative audience, Lucy the Lobster crawled out of the ocean onto the South Shore and — after a little help climbing aloft a lobster trap — failed to see her shadow, predicting an early springtime. The event marked the kickoff of the South Shore Lobster Crawl, a food and culture festival centred around everyone’s favourite crustacean.
Lucy the Lobtser: No Shadow 2018
Lucy the Lobster says No Shadow! Early Spring!Why a Lobster Prognosticator for Groundhog Day? Because it's Lobster Season on the South South! On February 2, 2018 at 8:00am here in the Lobster Capital of Canada, Visit Barrington, Nova Scotia, Lucy the Lobster, a 6.5lb 19 inches long lobster will crawled out of the Atlantic Ocean to offer her prediction of when Spring would arrive … and a new tradition was enjoyed by dozens of folks in person, and thousands around the worldCaught by the Captain Tyler Nickerson and his crew onboard "Chas’n Rac’n" earlier the week, they saw something special in Lucy and so did Xsealent Seafood Company Ltd. As the official supplier of lobster to Capt. Kat's Lobster Shack, they brought her to them – and us – for this very special assignment. With some coaching from Wairton Wille and Shubie Sam, Lucy emerged … NO SHADOW! Lucy kicked off the inauguarl South Shore Lobster Crawl presented by the South Shore Tourism Coop – it's a Lobster Lovers dream come true! The crustacean-themed calendar of nearly 60 events hosted in communities from Peggy’s Cove to Barrington invited guests to Crawl a’Board and enjoy 14 different Lobster Rolls being offered at 14 restaurants, 14 Sip & Savour Events, 6 Sports Events, 17 Art, Music, Museum and Cultural Events and 5 Lobster Getaway Packages. See full event listings at www.lobstercrawl.ca. In addition to the above, Lucy the Lobster would like to thank Lobster Crawl Committee members Suzy Powley Atwood from the Municiaplity of Barrington for being so accommodating, Donna Hatt from White Point Beach Resort for the coaching, Stephanie Miller Vincent from Quarterdeck Beachside Villas & Grill for the great FB LIVE camerawork and Heather Spidell of the SS Tourism Coop for keeping the Love rolling for Lucy here and follow along at @LucyLobsterNS See you all next year … Feb 2, 8am, 2019 here in the Lobster Capital of Canada!Mashable BuzzFeed The Weather Network Canada Keep Exploring @
Posted by Nova Scotia's South Shore on Friday, February 2, 2018
Lucy’s prediction wasn’t shared by all of the groundhogs this year. Pennsylvania’s Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog in the shadow-spotting game did see his shadow, predicting another six weeks of winter. However, Nova Scotia’s official groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, seconded Lucy’s prediction of an early springtime. (Shubenacadie Sam made further headlines by biting a CBC reporter who was there for the event. What that means for this year’s weather, we’re not entirely sure.)
Lucy is now relaxing at Capt. Kat’s Lobster Shack in Barrington Passage, where visitors can come see — but not, organizer’s have reassured the public, eat — her.
Yes, Lucy’s celebrity status will ensure she doesn’t become dinner during the festival, unlike many of her peers. And with thousands of people online sharing stories and photos of Lucy, it’s safe to say she stole the show from the groundhogs this year. Shubenacadie Sam might want to think about pulling out some new tricks if he wants to hold onto his job.
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