Museum in Carson City to host community birthday bash for Glenn Lucky

Former South Lake Tahoe resident Glenn Lucky turn 65 this month, and the Nevada State Museum in Carson City is planning a big birthday party in his honor on September 27 at 10:00 a.m. in the Dema Guinn Concourse of the museum at 600 N. Carson Street.

Lucky was born on Sept. 27, 1952 in Coronado, Calif. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just one.

He and his family moved to the South Shore when Glenn was 3-year-old.

Cerebral palsy is a condition marked by impaired muscle coordination typically caused by damage to the brain before or at birth. When Glenn was 15 he had surgery on both knees and he then began riding a tricycle and it quickly became a passion and could be seen for years riding along South Lake Tahoe's roads.

Through the years he has logged tens of thousands of miles, including a ride across country to Washington, D.C., in 1988 to raise funds for cerebral palsy research and to promote Special Olympics. He donated the tricycle he used to make that ride to the Nevada State Museum in 2016.

The Carson City community is taking Glenn's milestone birthday to honor one of its favorite sons. He moved off the hill years ago and made Carson City his home where he has been a familiar site on the roadways of Northern Nevada, riding his adult tricycle, advertising local businesses and bringing awareness to cerebral palsy.

Lucky is a fixture at the annual senior awards night at his alma mater, South Tahoe High, where he is part of a scholarship presentation to a graduating student who has faced physical challenges during their childhood.

“Glenn’s story is one for the ages and we invite the community to come celebrate him and his achievements on his birthday,” Nevada State Museum Director Myron Freedman said.

Earlier this month, Lucky donated to the museum the Olympic Torch he carried on Carson Street in the lead up to the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City along with photos of the occasion.

“The museum is proud to care for and exhibit such wonderful artifacts that help to tell Glenn’s story and to testify to his place in Nevada history,” Freedman said.

The birthday celebration will include a brief program, a round of “Happy Birthday,” and a birthday cake and refreshments. Everyone is invited. Admission to the concourse is free. Regular museum admission applies for access to the museum galleries.

For more information, call (775) 687-4810.

Information for this story was provided by Guy Clifton, Public Relations Specialist for the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Museums, Arts and Indian news. He can be reached at gclifton@travelnevada.com.