Niwot Summer starts with Rock & Rails

Rock & Rails is a well-loved, much-attended community event in Niwot's very own Whistle Stop Park. As the recipient of the 2006 Governor's Award for Downtown Excellence for Best Promotional Event, Rock & Rails benefits many who volunteer to make all the magic happen.

The free summer concert series takes the stage at Niwot's Whistle Stop Park at 1st Avenue and Murray Street in historic downtown Niwot, Colorado, and is produced by the Niwot Cultural Arts Association in conjunction with the Niwot Business Association. Dan Hawk of Edward Jones (NBA), Vicki Maurer and Biff Warren, both of Warren, Carlson & Moore, attorneys, and the Left Hand Valley Courier (NCAA), have served as volunteer co-managers of the event since 2014. Niwot realtor Satir DeMarco handles all of the music bookings, which she has done since the concert series began in 2006.

Craig Cutcliff, who has provided sound for every concert since the event began, returns to mix the music. If you watch carefully, you may see Cutcliff sitting in on tenor sax with the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band on Aug. 18, which he has been known to do in the past.

Chris Teta, who has been busy improving the park's infrastructure in the off-season, installing new gates, fencing, and infrastructure for food trucks, is in charge of parking and security, as well as set-up and take-down.

Holly D'apolito of Nourish & Company volunteers to coordinate non-food vendors at the concerts. Alyson Bell of Tool Studios also volunteers her time, working behind the scenes to take care of advertising, promotion and signage. Tom Smathers of Abo's Pizza Boulder volunteers his time to handle all of the food vendor arrangements.

The event takes place every Thursday night from 5 to 9 p.m., June 2 through August 25. Opening acts perform from 5 to 6 p.m. during happy hour, with drink specials available. After a short break at 6 p.m., the evening's headliner band plays from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with one break in the middle. For more information, check out the Rock & Rails page at http://www.niwot.com.

Rules come along with most all outdoor, community events, and Rock & Rails has only a few simple ones. Aside from being ready to dance, sing along and smile, patrons should know:

• No outside alcohol is allowed in the park due to liquor license requirements. Bags are checked at the entrance, and should you forget, the volunteers will ask that you either dispose of any outside alcohol or take it back to your car.

• No alcohol can leave the park.

• Alcohol is also prohibited at the adjacent Niwot Children's Park.

• With the exception of bona-fide service dogs, there are no animals allowed. It is a happily loud and crowded event and not a good choice for pets. Pets are allowed at Niwot Children's Park.

Inside the park you'll find a variety of food trucks and adult beverages. Bring your cash and ID for purchasing alcoholic drinks, which are served by local volunteers who are TIPS certified and volunteer their time to serve wine, beer and margaritas from the The Depot concession building.

Enjoy artisans, kids' activities and more. You'll want to bring in portable chairs and blankets since tables are few and far between. Rock & Rails asks that you be kind and respectful to each other and the Park. Rock & Rails is a zero-waste event, so all trash must be packed out. There are many receptacles located around the park for composting and recycling, and volunteer Gargoyles are on hand to help.

What is a Gargoyle you ask? Gargoyles are young volunteers who sit atop recycle and compost bins, helping concert goers put recyclables and compostables in the right place. Twelve-year-old Francesca Fowler, a seasoned Gargoyle, said, "I enjoy meeting people and it is a fun and enjoyable thing to do. One time there was a dance party during the night. It was a lot of fun meeting new people and enjoying the night." At the end of the evening, Gargoyles help pick up traffic cones and signs from the back of a pickup. For more information on how to volunteer as a Gargoyle, contact volunteer coordinator Julie Breyer at 720-394-1256.

Ambassadors from the Niwot Business Association greet patrons at the entrance at each event. These volunteers help with checking concertgoers in at the gate, help with directions and answer questions. To volunteer contact Alison Steele at the Niwot Market at 720-473-3440.

Volunteers with various non-profit organizations serving Niwot help with set-up and take down of the venue's flags, tents and tables. These nonprofits are also the beneficiaries of the event's tip jars, found at the gate and at the Depot building.

According to Rock & Rails managers, last summer the concert series "raised over $30,000 in 13 nights for 18 different non-profit worthy causes, including the Niwot Community Association, the Niwot Historical Society, Mwebaza Foundation, Via Mobility Services, the Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Niwot Children's Park, Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms, Lefthand Watershed Center, Scouts, and several Niwot High School groups." This year there are 23 groups signed up to share the tip jar proceeds. According to co-manager Biff Warren, "We can do this because we have over 100 volunteers every summer who make this event happen, donating their time and services."

On-street parking is available throughout town, and in the new Niwot Parking Lot, which also allows for overflow parking along Murray Street north of the lot. Additional handicapped parking spaces have been added this season. Free pedicab service is also available most nights, and local residents are encouraged to walk or ride a bike, with bike valet service provided for tips only by the Niwot High School Volleyball team.

This Season's lineup features high energy funk, fusion dance party, funky blues rock, Motown, gypsy grass, blues, tribute bands, southern rock, all vocal rock, salsa, soul and more. The event is sponsored by the Niwot Local Improvement District, and many local businesses, who appreciate your patronage. Tell them thanks next time you stop in.