Rock & Rails finishes summer concert series

Rock & Rails ended its summer concert series last week, and organizers say it was the best so far.

More than $81,000 in beverage sales was raised over the 13 weeks of concerts at Whistle Stop Park in Niwot.

Vicki Maurer, one of the event’s organizers, can usually be found pouring drinks for concert-goers on Thursday evenings in the summer. She said she is very happy with how this year turned out.

“It was our most successful concert series so far,” Maurer said. “And it all goes back to the community.”

The event is organized by both the Niwot Business Association and the Niwot Cultural Arts Association, who split proceeds from the event.

All money eventually ends up going back to the community, including the tip jars. The beneficiary of those funds changes throughout the summer.

“This year, we saw the largest tip jar donations,” Maurer said. “There was one night that was over $1,400. Even on average, this year was much larger than past years.”

The group will begin planning in January for the 2017 season.

Maurer said that she thinks the best part is that the community gets out to show support.

“It’s a fun way for the community to come out and have a great time together,” Maurer said. “For me, it’s always important to raise money, but I think it’s more important for people to get out and meet their neighbors.

“We also have a lot of people from out of town who love coming to the concerts because it’s such a friendly venue and a friendly community.”

The event organizers hire deputies from the Sheriff’s Department to work the event as well.

“They just love doing it because we don’t have any problems,” Maurer said. “People behave themselves and have a great time.”

As fall approaches, the group will take a few months to rest before getting ready for next year.

“Thank you to the concert-goers for continuing to show up and support us,” Maurer said. “We had a great time doing it. A special thanks to our sponsors who make the concerts possible."