FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

DRAKE TO HOST A MYRIAD OF RELAYS FESTIVITIES

Drake University will host a myriad of festivities in celebration of the 95th annual Drake Relays.
Here is a comprehensive list of activities. Note: Street painting on April 17 was originally scheduled for noon to 4 p.m., but has been changed to 1 to 5 p.m.

THURSDAY, APRIL 15

• 2 p.m. - Blitzing
  Site: Downtown Des Moines
• Drake students will distribute posters and fliers highlighting Relays festivities to various businesses throughout downtown Des Moines.

SATURDAY, APRIL 17

• 10 a.m. -- Relays Parade
  Site: 25th Street and University Avenue
  This year the traditional Relays Parade will take place in the Drake Neighborhood. The parade will start at 25th Street and University Avenue, move west along University Avenue to 34th Street, then north on 34th Street to Forest Avenue and then east on Forest Avenue to 25th Street.
• 1 to 5 p.m. -- Student Life Event: Street Painting
  Site: The Painted Street (Carpenter Avenue between 27th and 28th streets)
• Student organizations will paint squares displaying their interpretation of this year's Relays theme: "Raise the Bar."

MONDAY, APRIL 19

• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. -- Beautiful Bulldog Contest
  Site: Nollen Plaza
  Sixty Bulldogs will strut their stuff for the honor of being named the Drake Relays most beautiful bulldog. This year's competition is the 25th annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest. Judges will include Jim Bowermaster, founder of the contest, and Max Rauer, longtime emcee of the event. Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie will present the key to the city to the winning bulldog. The judging will start at 11 a.m. and the pageant will begin at noon.

TUESDAY, APRIL 20

• Noon to 1 p.m. - Mascot Relays
  Site: Nollen Plaza
• 5 to 6 p.m. - Mascot Relays
  Site: Prairie Meadows
  Drake Mascot Spike and his friends will be competing in fun Relays-related races in downtown Des Moines. The finals will take place at Prairie Meadows.
• 7:30 to 10 p.m. - Student Life Event: Movie - "Barbershop II"
  Site: Helmick Commons

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21

• 11:30 a.m. and noon. - The 95th Annual Drake Relays
  Site: Drake Stadium
  Heptathlon and Decathlon
• 3 to 8 p.m. - Student Life Event: Carnival
  Site: Helmick Commons
  Students will participate in a variety of activities, including rock climbing, riding a mechanical bull, negotiating an obstacle course and making their own music videos.
• 5 to 7 p.m. -- Wear your Blues - Business After Hours
  Site: Patio at Embassy Suites on the River

THURSDAY, APRIL 22

• 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. - The 95th Annual Drake Relays
  Site: Drake Stadium
• 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - "Fake" Relays
  Site: Nollen Plaza
  This action-packed afternoon pits downtown CEOs, media celebrities and others in races of non-traditional kinds. Presented by IKON and organized by the Young Professionals Connection.

FRIDAY, APRIL 23

• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - The 95th Annual Drake Relays
  Site: Drake Stadium
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Alumni Tent and Reunion Headquarters for alumni and friends
  Site: Forest Avenue between Harvey Ingham and Herriott halls
  Food and drink available for purchase.
• 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. - Court Avenue Celebration
  Site: Fourth Street and Court Avenue
  Bands of differing styles and tastes liven up the night at nine different venues in the historic Court Avenue and Fourth Street area. This event is free to the public.
• 7 to 9 p.m. - All-Alumni Tent Party
  Site: Alumni Tent (Forest Avenue between Harvey Ingham and Herriott halls)
  Tickets are $5.
• 8 p.m. - Student Life Event: Comedy Show
  Site: Jordan Stage, Sheslow Auditorium in Old Main
  Comedians Ms. B Phlat, Leon Rogers and Redbone will give a free performance sponsored by Drake's Coalition of Black Students.

SATURDAY, APRIL 24

• 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - The 95th Annual Drake Relays
  Site: Drake Stadium
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Alumni Tent and Reunion Headquarters for alumni and friends
  Site: Forest Avenue between Harvey Ingham and Herriott halls
• 10 a.m. - Paul Morrison Relays Lecture
  Kragie Newell Agora, Helmick Commons
  Clive Elliott, the Daniel B. Goldberg artist in residence of theatre arts at Drake, will present "Pigs in a Blanket, Toad in the Hole." This short talk by an Englishman who came to the United States in 1981 will light-heartedly examine the usages of English on either side of "The Pond."
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Camp DU
  Site: Alumni Tent (Forest Avenue between Harvey Ingham and Herriott halls)
  Free children's games and activities.
• 7 p.m. - Student Life Event: Step Show
  Site: Parents Hall, Olmsted Center
  Tickets are $7 for the Step Show and $10 for the Step Show and following party.