FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2005

CONTACT: Dolph Pulliam, (515) 271-3084, dolph.pulliam@drake.edu

PLENTY OF SAG, SLOBBER AND NO SWIMSUITS HIGHLIGHT DRAKE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL BULLDOG CONTEST SET FOR APRIL 25

The more sag, the more slobber, the more wrinkles, the better the chances of winning this beauty contest.

Some of the droopiest, most wrinkled and just plain adorable bulldogs from all over the Midwest – and sometimes as far away as England – will compete in Drake University’s 26th annual Most Beautiful Bulldog Contest to kick off Drake Relays Festival Week.

The event is set for Monday, April 25, at Nollen Plaza Third and Locust Streets, in downtown Des Moines. The first 50 bulldogs to register will participate in the contest to determine Drake’s mascot for the 96th running of the Drake Relays April 28-30.

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., a panel will judge the contestants. A pageant is scheduled for noon. Papa John’s Pizza, the Bulldog Club of Central Iowa and Bark Busters Home Dog Training sponsor the Beautiful Bulldog Contest.

“The success of the Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog contest is due in large part to the enthusiasm and support of all our sponsors and volunteers”, said Dolph Pulliam, director of community outreach and development at Drake. “It’s the only event of its kind that receives media attention worldwide.”

“We have enjoyed being one of the sponsors of the contest for many years as well as our relationship with Drake University,” said Judy Robey, a member of the Bulldog Club of Central Iowa.

Entries will be accepted in the order they are received. To receive a Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest entry form, contact Judy Robey at (515) 987-2286. All entries must be submitted by April 18.

No swimsuits required.

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