Community Band opens for Rock & Rails

The Niwot Community Semi-Marching Free Grange Band opened Rock & Rails Thursday night, Aug. 18, at the Whistle Stop Park with a set list ranging from “Stairway to Heaven” to “In Heaven There Is No Beer.” The band, under the direction of Debbie Benson, featured 24 of the approximately 30 local musicians who perform with the band.

The band was formed on July 4, 2005, to perform at the dedication of the Whistle Stop Park bandstand, and returned to its roots to open for Quemando at Rock & Rails. The band performs at local events, with approximately 14 performances each year. “The band is always under construction,” according to the band’s emcee, Biff Warren. “We’re always looking for new members. If you haven’t played since high school, you’ll fit right in.”

Their Thursday repertoire included favorites such as Chattanooga Choo Choo, which summoned up three trains which came through Niwot later in the evening. The band performs over 200 different songs for events throughout the year.

Earlier this summer, the band performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” at a Colorado Rockies game. The band’s next performance will be Friday, Sept. 2 at 5:30 p.m. for the Why Not Niwot? Juried Art Show awards ceremony next to Osmosis gallery.