Oto Days 2016

Oto Days 2016

Oto Days 2016 is when the tiny town of Oto, IA turns into a big town.  The farmers come off the fields to stop in for a few events.  The kids that left for the big cities, around the U.S., come home to reconnect.

So many people sign up to be in the parade that you might think no one will be standing along the side to watch, but that isn’t so.  People line a good part of both sides of main street.  You get to see tractors, classic cars, funny cars, and even a clown.

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There are multiple meals during Oto Days.  The firehouse puts on a dinner.  The ambulance serves a breakfast.  The Catholic church serves a broasted chicken dinner, Sneaky’s.

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They crown a king and queen, which I believe are the oldest two individuals in town.

A bounce house goes on main street.

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They setup the rides on the old grain bin slabs.  

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The adults play in a human foosball tournament.  Not an event for the faint of heart.

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A man carves wood into art and a woman can make you into a beautiful funny drawing.

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Overall there is a lot to see and do at the Oto Days celebration.  There is bingo, a bubble machine, various musical acts, and of course Lefty Leigh’s.

The theme of this year’s Oto Days was Make Oto Great Again.  I have always heard that Oto is a town to tough to die and when you see an event like this one you know exactly why.

Gumdale Merlot

Gumdale Merlot

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Gumdale Merlot is a very interesting Merlot.  The single best word to describe this wine is fresh.  I once sampled a wine as it was being bottled and this wine reminded me of that experience.

What I love about Australia wines is that they seemed to be made exclusively for a good time.

This wine has a hint of liquorice to it.  It seems to add to the overall experience.

Overall I would give this one a 4/5.

Northwest Collection Merlot

Northwest Collection Merlot

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Northwest Collection Merlot is a very dark red wine.  It doesn’t seem to have any tannins.  It isn’t dry and doesn’t have any bitterness.  It isn’t a great wine for drinking.  I would suggest one glass max on this wine.  It tends to end with a bit of a headache otherwise.

I would not serve this one to dinner guests.

Overall I give this a 3/5.

Buffalo Merlot

Buffalo Merlot

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Buffalo is a California wine.  It is dangerously drinkable.  It has a hint of dryness to it.  There isn’t anything distinctive.  There aren’t any outstanding flavors.  It is just easy to drink.

Personally I can only drink 2 glasses of this wine before entering the danger zone.

Overall I give this one a 4/5 because of how drinkable it is, but not a 5 because it doesn’t make my mouth sing.