Rock & Rails 2021: Know before you go

Niwot's popular summer concert series Rock & Rails kicks off its 15th season on Thursday, June 3, with local duo Pacheco & Bower at 5 p.m. followed by headliner Mojomama at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, and gates open at 4 p.m., but before you fold up your camping chair and head to Whistle Stop Park, organizers from the Niwot Cultural Arts Association are asking guests to be courteous and exercise reasonable COVID safety precautions.

"We're strongly encouraging people to be safe," NCAA officer and event co-manager Vicki Maurer said, adding that they are following current Colorado and Boulder County public health recommendations on outdoor public gatherings. "We're going to encourage concert-goers to wear masks, and encourage social distancing between groups."

With Boulder County getting the all-clear for outdoor gatherings on May 16, Maurer said that the NCAA's leadership decided only at the last minute to go forward with the full 13-week concert series. Before the restrictions were lifted, the group had considered requiring reservations or even charging admission to control crowd size and enable contact tracing.

But as county vaccination rates rose and COVID cases fell during the spring, having a more-or-less "normal" Rock & Rails became an appealing choice. As of now, there are no plans to limit attendance, but Maurer said that could change if crowds get too "out of control."

"Our whole goal is just to let everybody come out, have a reasonably priced night, be able to get food and drink and not spend 100 bucks," Maurer said. "At first, I was a little nervous when we started talking about it earlier in the year. But now, I'm pretty comfortable that we'll be able to provide safe concerts."

Masks will not be required of volunteer staff members, except for the Gargoyles, who are mostly under the age of 18. The NCAA has placed additional handwashing stations in Whistle Stop Park, and will be making more hand sanitizer available. Other changes to the park could also make distancing easier to maintain, Maurer said.

"With the building now, I think there's actually going to be more room for social distancing," she said, referring to The Depot, a permanent beverage station constructed in the park last spring. "In front of the building, they've taken away the electrical panel, and a tree, and it just seemed to open it up more in that area."

That should also keep beer, wine and margarita lines further apart, and moving more quickly, she continued.

Otherwise, the 2021 Rock & Rails experience will be familiar to returning guests. The opening act takes the stage at 5 p.m., followed by the headliner at 6:30 p.m. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and if you want a chair, you'll need to bring it yourself, as there are only a few picnic tables and a couple of benches for seating.

A variety of food vendors will be on hand once again, including Abo's Pizza, Savory Saigon, Georgia Boys Barbecue and Sweet Cow, plus a rotating series of local food trucks. Beer and hard seltzer from Bootstrap Brewing Company and guest brewers will be available for $6, as will wine and margaritas. (Prices are $5 during "Happy Hour" before 6:00 p.m.)

Attendees are welcome to bring in their own food, but outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. Nor will patrons be allowed to leave with alcohol they purchased at a concert, even if it's just to check on their kids at the adjacent Niwot Children's Park. Alcohol is not allowed at the Children's Park either.

The NCAA has also decided to extend the ban on dogs at Rock & Rails to prohibit all animals, regardless of size, to ensure the safety of both concert goers and the animals. Service animals are the only exception, and emotional support animals are not considered service animals.

As for getting to Rock & Rails, attendees are strongly encouraged to walk, bike, or take one of the pedicabs, operated by Niwot's Robbie Vinson. Rides are free of charge, but tips to the drivers are encouraged. If you drive to the concert, the best place to park will be the vacant lot west of Murray Street, future home of Niwot's 14-space public parking lot, which is currently under construction.

Rock & Rails is also bringing back the Tip Jar program in 2021. Thanks to the generous donations of concert goers over the past 15 years, this program has raised tens of thousands of dollars for non-profit organizations in Niwot and surrounding communities.

In 2019, a total of $19,888 went to 16 local groups, an average of over $1,200 per concert. This year, 17 groups have applied to collect funds, hoping to make up for lost fundraising opportunities in 2020. (For a complete list of organizations and dates they will be collecting, visit LHVC.com/calendar.)

Maurer acknowledged that there are still some unknown about Rock & Rails in 2021, and the NCAA is taking a "wait and see" approach to stricter safety measures. But if all goes according to plan, it should be another great year of free entertainment in Whistle Stop Park.

"I'm really looking forward to it," she said. "People are ready to get out and have fun. It should be a great year."