FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 5, 2002 CONTACT Dolph Pulliam, (515) 271-3084 BEAUTIFUL BULLDOG CONTEST SET FOR APRIL 22 The 23rd annual Beautiful Bulldog Contest will kick off Drake Relays Festival Week on Monday, April 22, at Nollen Plaza in downtown Des Moines. Thirty bulldogs will participate in the contest to determine Drake's mascot for the 93rd running of the Drake Relays April 25-27. The winning bulldog will serve as the official mascot for the Drake Relays and appear in the Drake Relays Parade. Starting at 11 a.m., the contestants will be judged by a panel of celebrity judges including Drake University First Lady Madeleine Maxwell. The pageant will follow at noon. The Beautiful Bulldog Contest is sponsored by the Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery of West Des Moines. Three Dog Bakery of Valley Junction will provide special treats for all the contestants. "The success of the Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest is due in large part to the enthusiasm and support of Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery," said Drake Relays Director Mark Kostek. "We have enjoyed sponsoring the contest the last three years as well as our relationship with Drake University," said Vicki Wiskow, general manager of Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery." Entries will be accepted in the order they are received. To obtain a Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest entry form, contact Vicki Wiskow at Rock Bottom Restaurant at (515) 267-8900. All entries must be submitted by April 15.