The New Quarterly, a Canadian literary journal with a long-standing commitment to poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction, administers the Nick Blatchford Occasional Verse Contest. This annual prize is dedicated to the occasional poem, a mode with deep roots in literary history, from Horace to Auden, where the poet responds to a specific event, personal or communal, or elevates the mundane into significance through deliberate observation. The contest welcomes a spectrum of tones, from light and satirical to solemn and reflective, reflecting the journal's broad aesthetic sensibilities. The contest is open for submissions with a fee of $40.00 USD. While the prize amount is not specified in the provided information, the winning poem and possibly additional selections are published in The New Quarterly, offering poets a platform within a respected literary periodical. The journal's editorial vision values craft, clarity, and emotional resonance, and the Occasional Verse Contest specifically seeks poems that engage with the world beyond the self, whether through public events, private milestones, or the quiet dramas of daily life. As a contest, it provides an opportunity for poets to gain recognition and publication. The deadline is fixed for February 28, 2027. The competition is conducted online, making it accessible to poets regardless of location. The New Quarterly's reputation for nurturing literary talent lends weight to this contest, and past winners have often gone on to further acclaim. Poets are encouraged to submit work that demonstrates both technical skill and a genuine engagement with the occasion, however defined.