FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2003

CONTACT: Dolph Pulliam, (515) 271-3084
Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119

BEAUTIFUL BULLDOG CONTEST SET FOR APRIL 21

The 24th annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest will kick off Drake Relays Festival Week on Monday, April 21, at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines. Up to 50 bulldogs will participate in the contest to determine Drake's mascot for the 94th running of the Drake Relays April 24-26.
The winning bulldog will serve as the official mascot for the Drake Relays and appear in the Drake Relays Parade.
The contestants will be judged by a panel starting at 11 a.m., with the pageant scheduled for noon. The Beautiful Bulldog Contest is sponsored by the E-Claire & Company Pet Shop and the Central Iowa Bulldog Owners Club.

"The Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog contest has garnered media attention from all over the United States and developed enthusiastic fan support as well," said Dolph Pulliam, director of community outreach and development at Drake. "We would like to encourage all Iowans and especially pet lovers to come out and support the Beautiful Bulldog contest and watch some of the funniest looking and most adorable pets strut their stuff during this year's contest."

Entries will be accepted in the order they are received. All entries must be submitted by April 15. To receive a Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest entry form, contact Dolph Pulliam at (515) 271-3084 or dolph.pulliam@drake.edu.