FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                       February 27, 2013

CONTACTS:           

Candice Rennels         (405) 425-0298 O / (405) 412-6172 C / crennels@okczoo.com

Carrie Allen                   (405) 425-0292 O / callen@okczoo.com

THE OKC ZOO AND DR PEPPER HOST STATEWIDE STUDENT ART CONTEST

              With crayons, colored pencils, markers or paints in hand encourage your young artist to dive into the Dr Pepper Vending Machine Art Contest for a chance to win $500 in tuition. The Oklahoma City Zoo and Dr Pepper invite Oklahoma students in grades K-12 to participate in the ninth annual Dr Pepper Vending Machine Art Contest. Entries will be accepted February 18 through March 29, 2013. Students participating in this year’s contest will have a chance to win one of two grand prizes of $500 in tuition courtesy of First Security Bank and Dr Pepper, and have their design placed on one of two Dr Pepper vending machines located on Zoo grounds. Submitted entries will be judged on creativity and relevance to the contest’s theme, “I spy, water wonders”!

              About this theme? From the deepest oceans to the lakes and streams of Oklahoma, the Earth’s waters support all living things, including you! That is why conserving and preserving this precious resource is something we must all help do. The Zoo aids in numerous local, national and international

conservation projects that help protect ecosystems and the animals that live there. Through their designs, we want students to illustrate how they would conserve water and help save water wonders of all kinds. Think beyond the creatures of the deep blue and consider “water wonders” such as frogs, turtles, fish and snakes. 

            Official entry forms are available online at okczoo.com. All submitted entries become property of the Oklahoma City Zoo and must be postmarked by March 29, 2013. The winning designs will be unveiled at the Zoo on Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. during the Zoo’s Party for the Planet celebration.

            Located in Oklahoma City’s Adventure District, recognized as one of the top three family friendly zoos in the nation and the state’s #1 attraction, the Oklahoma City Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. with exhibit buildings closing at 4:45 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults, and $5 for children ages three to 11 and seniors age 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Are you a Zoo fan?  Find us at www.facebook.com/okczoobg and @okczoo. To learn more about these and other happenings, call (405) 424-3344 or visit okczoo.com.

-okczoo-