Familiar Face Kristin Alger

While there may be only a couple of Rock & Rails concerts left this season, there is an unlimited amount of friendliness that comes from its volunteers. This week's Familiar Face behind the Rock & Rails bar on Thursdays is Kristin Alger.

Alger first got involved with Rock & Rails seven years ago. Bill and Jill Whitener used to manage the site at Whistle Stop Park and because Alger and the Whiteners were friends, she would help with pre-concert set-up during the first year. She soon got promoted to working under the beer tent, which at the time was an actual tent, and has been there ever since. "I had to count my shirts to figure out how long it's been," said Alger, "but I think this is my seventh year."

Alger first moved here in 2005. Her dad Dallas Plese and his wife Mary Plese opened Flanagan's Pub in 1999 before it became the Niwot Tavern in 2004. They got to meet a lot of the people in Niwot because of Flanagan's and became heavily involved in Niwot through those connections. It was through Dallas and Mary's interactions and involvement that Kristin got to know so many people around town, as well. She saw how much they enjoyed working at events that "it was just natural that I join in too," she said. Dallas sadly passed away on May 14 of this year.

Alger is not only a regular behind the bar at Rock & Rails, but joined the board of directors of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA), and soon became a co-chair for the Let's Wine About Winter event.

Additionally, she tries to jump in to help with as many other events as she is able. "The people you volunteer with are always so much fun," she said. "It makes it so much easier to give back." She says she especially loves that there is always so much going on in Niwot for such a small town. She believes that the most amazing part of the town and its events is how much of everything is volunteer driven. "I love that so many people have that kind of connection to Niwot."

When she is not volunteering, she works at Medtronic, a healthcare technology company. She has been with them for sixteen years and is grateful she is able to work from home as it makes it easier for her to be so involved with the community.

Despite her dedication to community involvement and her job, she finds time for herself by traveling. She says it is her favorite thing to do outside of work and is her reason to do work. Not only does she travel on her own, but thanks to her work, she has been sent around the world to places like Israel and China. "One summer I got sent to France and Italy for work within a few weeks," she recalled, "I definitely couldn't complain." It is on her bucket list to step foot on every continent.

Be sure to say "hi" to Kristin behind the bar at Rock & Rails this summer or around town at any of the other events you may attend. Niwot is lucky to have her as a Familiar Face around town and behind the bar at Rock & Rails.