FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aug. 15, 2002

CONCTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119
Erin Downs (515) 271-2986

SATURDAY, AUG. 17, DRAKE UNIVERSITY DAY AT THE IOWA STATE FAIR
This year, Drake University will sponsor "DU the Fair" on Saturday, Aug.17, with big plans, big events and a very big bulldog.

The fun begins at 9 a.m. when free prizes will be awarded at a Drake booth, located on the Grand Concourse in front of the service center, to the first 500 fair-goers in Drake gear. Twenty-five-foot-tall Spike the bulldog will be watching over the crowd at another Drake booth located west of the Bill Riley stage. At this booth, Drake fans can get free souvenir digital photos taken in front of Old Main, at the Drake Relays, or at a Drake basketball game, and Wells Blue Bunny will serve free ice cream while Drake coaches sign autographs at the "Blues" Party from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Fair-goers can win Drake athletic gear at the Bulldog Hot Shot, a hoop-shooting contest with Drake athletes from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Rock Island Avenue. Spectators who head to Heritage Village will be treated to a chemistry magic show at 10 a.m. demonstrated by the Drake University Chemistry Department and a storytelling session at 11 a.m. presented by the Drake School of Education.

Drake alumni and friends can root for the Bulldogs as Drake competes in the Iowa State Chili Competition from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and for coaches while they test their cooking skills during the celebrity mystery sack competition at 5 p.m. In addition, fair-goers can hear live music performances by Drake students throughout the day and Drake law professor Neil Hamilton will present issues relating to the Iowa Food Policy Council at 4 p.m. in the Agricultural Building.

Drake alumni and friends should be sure to stop by the Drake pre-concert party located at Jalapeno Pete’s Cantina at 6 p.m. Join the Drake community and "DU the Fair!" For more information contact Erin Downs, director of public relations, at 271-2986, or log onto www.drake.edu for a schedule of the University's fair events.