This week is Drake Relays here in Des Moines, hands down the most exciting time of the year.  Drake Relays begins with Street painting, where a street on campus is covered in murals, and ends with the relays themselves. Drake Relays are the students favorite time of the year, there are thousands of people on campus and many great events taking place. Below are some of the events whcih I encourage everyone to attend.Â
The first event worth mentioning is the 28th annual Drake Relays Beautiful Bulldog Contest. This year the winner (pictured left) was a three year old bulldog named Riggs. Riggs is owned by Cordell Miller of Prairie City, Iowa. The winner of the contest serves as the official Drake University Mascot for the 98th Drake Relays.Â
Also on the Friday of Relays is the Court Avenue Celebration, which takes place from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. in downtown Des Moines. Ten bars and restaurants will participate in this party, with performances by Public Property, Phase Two, Floodplane, DJ Johnny Utah, Mr. Baber’s Neighbors, Yetti Blüz Band, DJ John Huffman, Betty Buzzkill with Spouse, Tom Thumb and Milkwar, among others. Bands will perform under a tent located just west of the Court Avenue Brewing Company and at High Life Lounge, Court Avenue Brewing Company, Royal Mile, Java Joe’s, Johnny’s Hall of Fame, Liar’s Club, Buzzard Billy’s, The Lift, Vaudeville Mews and Hessen Haus. This event is one of my favorites every year, and a very popular event with college students and adults in the area.
Finally the Drake Relays themselves are great, every year there are many world class competitors including world record holders. For more information visit http://www.drakerelays.org/ or call the Drake Ticket Office at 515-271-3791.