Canada's Got Talent winner Jacob Lewis welcomed home as local celebrity

From the big stage back to Newfoundland's Avalon Peninsula, Canada's Got Talent winner Jacob Lewis was welcomed home on the long weekend to celebrate his newfound fame and fortune.

Lewis, an offshore oil and gas worker from Butlerville, a neighbourhood within Bay Roberts, took home a million dollars after singing his way to the top of a nationally televised talent show.

Lewis was emotional as he thanked everyone in his hometown for their support. 

"When I auditioned for Canada's Got Talent, I was dreaming big," he told the crowd. "You guys have helped make this a reality."

"If you're a kid, if you're an adult, if you're anyone and you have a dream or something, I'm living proof that just a regular Joe and this can become possible for you guys," he said.

Balloons and billboard-like signs hung on many homes, as a long motorcade led by the Bay Roberts fire department, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and its search and rescue unit, escorted Lewis into the town with sirens blaring.

People and cars lined the one-way road going through Butlerville. The owner of the community's only take-out restaurant, Mountain View Grocery, shut off the deep fryers to watch Lewis drive by.

As residents waved, they talked among themselves about how Lewis must feel tired despite the excitement.

His entrance to the town's field was met with cheering, and people saying "God love him." 

In a field where the celebrations continued, dozens of people lined up to get autographs and pictures with Lewis.

Anna Stone, who met Lewis before he won the show and took a photo with him, brought the picture for him to autograph.

"I've already met him at McHappy Day, and he's a really nice person," Stone said. 

Paige Tuttle knows Lewis' sons and spoke highly of the family. 

"I think it's really great that he won, his kids are so nice, and he's just a really good person," Peddle said. 

Lewis' cousin, Ella Franie, watched the Canada's Got Talent finale live in Niagara Falls and recalls the moment she saw his win.

"I got so excited I started screaming," Franie said.

Lewis says he will have more to share on his next steps soon. 

"I got a few irons in the fire, so probably gonna be some things in the Airways and within the next couple weeks," he said.

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