It's time to Rock (& Rails) 2024

Rock & Rails, one of Niwot's favorite long-standing summer traditions, is returning for another fun-filled, jam-packed, "off the rails" concert series for 2024. The much anticipated summer concert series is starting a week early this year on Thursday, May 30, due to a Thursday off on the 4th of July.

Through the efforts of sponsors and patrons, Rock & Rails continues to work towards being a zero-waste event and venue. Composting will resume as it always has, and though compost partners are still being figured out, it is more than likely to resume with the same, or very similar, rules as the past. However, absolutely no trash is accepted at the venue as vendors have gone through extensive agreements toward the zero-waste philosophy of this event. If you bring trash in, you must take that trash out.

A team of dedicated students will again volunteer their time as "gargoyles" to help assist with the collection of compost and recycling. These young people dedicate some of their free time in the summer to make sure the venue is eco-friendly and also learn about the details behind zero-waste.

One of the best parts of this weekly summer concert series is that it is free. The only cost to those in attendance is the purchase of food and beverages. Otherwise, everyone is welcome to sit, dance, and socialize the night away (until 9 p.m.). Tom Smathers of Abo's Pizza in Boulder is again bringing in popular food trucks.

The volunteer crew at the Depot building, led by co-managers Vicki Maurer and Dan Hawk, are looking forward to serving craft beer, wine and margaritas again.

A possible new twist this summer will be theme nights, where volunteers will dress in costume.

The event, a collaboration between the Niwot Cultural Arts Association and the Niwot Business Association, is sponsored by many local businesses, as well as the Niwot Local Improvement District (LID).

You don't want to miss a week, as tip jars collect funds for various nonprofits and charity organizations. While contributing to the tip jars is entirely optional, it is strongly encouraged to make donations to the different local groups in need of funds.

Recipients this year include the Niwot Community Association, Niwot Youth Sports, Scouts, Niwot High Cheerleaders, Niwot High Football, Niwot High School Education Foundation, Colorado Therapeutic Riding Center, Via Mobility, Niwot Historical Society, Niwot Community Connection, Niwot Community Hall, Women's International Niwot Club, Left Hand Giving Circle, P.E.O., Rotary Club of Niwot, Cake4Kids, Mwebaza Foundation, Jared Music Foundation, Niwot Patriotic Cookie Moms, as well as Niwot Children's Park, Whistle Stop Park, Volunteer Appreciation and Niwot Sculpture Park. The Niwot High girls volleyball team will again provide bike valet services from your car for tips.

With over 100 volunteers participating, costs are kept to a minimum, and as a result, since 2014, the event has returned over $632,000 to the Niwot community in the form of net proceeds, tip jar donations, park improvements, and sales taxes paid to the Niwot LID.

With a new band opening the venue every week from 5 to 6 p.m. during happy hour (when drinks are a dollar off), you can get the party started before the headlining bands take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Opening acts include many local musicians, such as Tim Ostdiek and Jenny Balagna, Dean Himes, the Strangebyrds, the Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band, and Charted Territory.

Satir DeMarco, who is in charge of scouting and booking bands, said that there will be some "returning favorites," such as Chris Daniels & the Kings, Twenty Hands High, The Long Run, Hazel Miller, Last Men on Earth, One on One, and, of course, Face.

However there are some new bands featured this year as DeMarco brings in "a mix of returning 'faves' and new bands." Some of the new highlights this year include The Hot Lunch Band and the Alcapones.

DeMarco is not only responsible for booking bands, but also does much work stage managing, emcee-ing the event, and working behind the scenes to make sure the concert series goes smoothly. She said that her favorite part about doing this every year is "bringing the community together, to visit and dance... and give the musicians the 'Niwot experience'."