AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today November 2, 2026
Chase the Ace Phenomenon Grips Fort McPherson
For several weeks, the small community of Fort McPherson, Northwest Territories, has experienced an unusual surge in activity every Friday. The reason: a Chase the Ace fundraiser, organized by the Peel River Music Festival, has become a major local event, drawing both residents and visitors in surprising numbers.
Record Crowds and Traffic Lines
Long lines of vehicles heading into Fort McPherson on Fridays have become a common sight, with many out-of-town participants arriving as early as 1 p.m. According to Jack Blake, one of the music festival’s organizers, "Every half-hour, another big group of people come through the door." The event, which sells tickets every Friday afternoon, has been running for a year and has rapidly gained popularity.
The Mechanics of Chase the Ace
Chase the Ace is a lottery fundraiser where a single card is drawn each week, and the jackpot increases if the ace of spades is not found. The format has led to considerable excitement and anticipation in the community. Most recently, with only three cards left in play, the jackpot had exceeded $700,000. After the ace remained undrawn another week, the pot surged past $900,000, intensifying interest in the next draw.
Impact on the Community
Jack Blake remarked, "It’s really brought a lot of excitement to our little community. It’s all we ever get asked about now when we go out." The event's magnetic attraction has noticeably increased the number of visitors to Fort McPherson, and residents have responded with hospitality. Local Martha Blake observed, "Fort McPherson is one of the nicest places to visit, people open up their homes for food or coffee or tea, or just to visit." She also expressed optimism about the potential benefits for future music festivals, believing the sizable jackpot could "bring any performer they want and have many prizes."
Comparing Rules in Other Communities
The scale of Fort McPherson's event contrasts with stricter rules in other Northwest Territories communities. For instance, the Inuvik McInnes Legion Branch 220 capped its own Chase the Ace jackpot at $30,000 when it started a similar event. Branch president Don Craik explained that unlike other lotteries restricted by town bylaws, Chase the Ace was not initially subject to such limits. The cap was set "to be fair to the other organizations who were bound by the lottery bylaw cap." Craik noted the event has succeeded in bringing people to the Legion on Friday nights, and there are no current plans to lift the cap.
Looking Ahead for Fort McPherson
As the jackpot continues to grow and excitement builds, the Chase the Ace fundraiser has left a significant mark on Fort McPherson’s social life. With only two cards left and over $900,000 at stake, anticipation around the next draw remains high, promising continued community engagement and support for local events like the Peel River Music Festival.
Source: cbc.ca.
