The semester is almost over, and it’s about time that Colorado State University students are heading elsewhere for the summer, but that doesn’t mean that Fort Collins is devoid of events for people who stick around.

Here are four summertime events to tide over students and other residents before school events pick back up in the fall semester.

1. Taste of Fort Collins: June 7-9
   

   

In early June, residents will be able to head to Washington Park in Old Town for local food, drink, crafts and music at the Taste of Fort Collins festival. 

The event is family-friendly, and children are welcome. The proceeds of the event will help to support the Fort Collins Eyeopeners Kiwanis Club, a group that puts on youth events throughout the year and provides children in need with food.

Over 25 food vendors are confirmed to be attending, and several breweries are providing their alcoholic wares as well. Musical performers will also play for the event, with this year’s headliners including Lovelytheband, Rick Springfield, Dreamers and Uncle Kracker.

Tickets are $20 for a three-day pass online, and single-day tickets are available at the gate.

2. Summerfest: June 17-July 12

Summerfest is an art series which covers all forms of art imaginable, from traditional painting to performance arts such as magic. It’s going on for nearly a whole month, providing lectures, music and other events on the theme of perception and illusion.

This includes discussions of human perception and neuroscience alongside musical performances that will cover similar themes.

A music and art workshop is also available for children and teens looking to get into art or improve their artistic pursuits.

Ticket prices vary per event, and some package deals are available for multiple events in one. 

3. Fort Collins Human Race: July 27

For people looking to get into shape for the summer, a good old-fashioned marathon might be the way to get the blood pumping. A number of running events, including a 5K, 10K and half-marathon will be taking place throughout the day, running through Old Town and alongside the Poudre River.

Of particular interest is the Man vs. Machine race, which pits runners against the Mountain Street trolley. Those who outrun the trolley will win a hat and bragging rights.

Ticket prices vary per event and profits will go towards supporting local high school cross country teams. 

4. Fort Collins Comic Con: August 17-18

Get back into town early for this small-scale pop culture convention for nerds of all kinds.

Artists, writers and other vendors will be present and selling their nerdy work. Attendees will be able to enthuse about their nerdiest interests with others who have similar tastes. Board game demos will be provided by Gryphon Games and Comics, and the event is child-friendly.

Cosplay will abound, and being a more local event than something like Denver’s Pop Culture Con, there’ll be fewer crowds and a more community-focused atmosphere.

Tickets are free for children under five, $10 for children ages 6-12 and $20 for anybody 13+.

Collegian reporter Graham Shapley can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com and on Twitter @shapleygraham.