Rock N Rails Summer Concerts
LIZ EMMETT-MATTOX
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This year, audiences at the Thursday evening summer concert series may notice a few changes to the familiar scene in Whistle Stop Park. Started as a local effort by NBA volunteers, and then operated for several years by Boulder Creek Events, Rock N Rails is back under local management.
Liz Darling of Ni-Wot Prairie Productions said, “We’re excited to be bringing it back to Niwot. We’re going to be utilizing local vendors and raising money for Niwot activities and Niwot organizations.”
The town of Niwot itself will be center stage during the first concert of the season. At the June 21 show, the new Niwot gateway sign along the Diagonal highway will be dedicated, including recognition of the contributions of community volunteers and Boulder County in making the sign a reality.
Organizers of the concert series have made a few changes to improve the parking situation. A bike valet service will be available to encourage people to ride their bikes to the concert. For those who drive, pedi-cabs will offer rides from the Excel Electric parking lot and Cottonwood Square.
At the drink tent, patrons will now be able to use a credit card to purchase their drinks, and youthful-looking music lovers will be able to show their IDs at the wrist-band station and avoid getting carded each time they return for a refill.
The event is also going zero-waste, which means that there will be no trash cans on site. Vendors will be using recyclable or compostable materials and visitors will need to pack out any trash they bring in. As part of this effort, organizers have decided to ask people to bring their own blankets or chairs to sit in, as the hay bales that have been present in the past will be gone.
What won’t change is the lineup of great bands. Concert-goers can expect to hear some of their favorites such as Face, the Hazel Miller Band, Jockamo, Rebecca Folsom and many more.
The final concert of the year, dubbed Niwot’s Own, promises to be a special treat. Three bands made up of local musicians will take the stage on Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. This special concert will feature Pete Wernick and Flexigrass; On Fire; and Tony Trahan and the BlueKrewe. For the full list of bands, see the ad on this page.
Darling said that the organizers of Rock N Rails wanted to recognize the people who worked so hard over the years to make the Niwot summer concert series such a success. And of course at the top of the list is Rockin’ Robin Abb.
“We just wanted to acknowledge her for all her hard work and effort over the years to create this event and make it so successful,” Darling said.
Other founding sponsors are Bank of the West in recognition of its generous sale of the land, the NBA and the NCAA.
According to Biff Warren, president of the NCAA, net proceeds from the concert series will come back to the Niwot community through Ni-wot Prairie Productions and the NCAA to benefit Whistle Stop Park, the Sculpture Park, the tree carvings, First Friday Art Walk, the Native American Film Festival and the Children’s Park.
The NBA will receive a percentage of the alcohol sales to help fund NBA projects. The tip jar at the drink tent will be available to support other local projects and organizations as well.
Darling said they are looking for volunteers to help with all aspects of the concert series. Anyone interested in being part of Rock N Rails can contact her at 303-931-3084.
