On Saturday the Nevada Chamber of Commerce presented its first "Nevada Uncorked," an outdoor wine-tasting and art event featuring Iowa wines. For an admission fee of $10, those who attended were able to sample wines from nine wineries, nibble on hors d'oeuvres, and view and purchase arts and crafts while area musicians provided entertainment that ranged from jazz to rock.
      "I think the Des Moines Register called it 'agritainment,'" Sara Clausen, executive director of the chamber, said of agriculture-based recreational activities - often referred to as "agritourism" - such as Saturday's wine-tasting. Iowa agritainment was also the subject of an 11/26/00 New York Times article by Des Moines writer Betsy Rubiner.
      "We hope to make this an annual event and have it well established," Clausen said, adding that around 325 people attended the six-hour celebration of native wines. "It was a fundraiser for the chamber, but we also wanted to bring in people from outside the community to spend dollars in Nevada," she said. "So, it was an economic development decision" to host the tasting, which took place downtown on Sixth Street. "Luckily, we had beautiful weather."
      Clausen was delighted that so many Nevada residents attended. "Probably half of the crowd I knew, because they were from Nevada - which was so nice, that the community supported Nevada," she said. "People seemed to be mingling and having a great time."
      For a listing of sponsors and participating wineries, artists and musicians, see the Journal's Web site at www.nevadaiowajournal.com.