The Center of Southwest Studies Museum at Fort Lewis College will celebrate the Summer Solstice from 6 to 7:30 a.m. Saturday.

At the dawn of the summer solstice, a spiral of sunlight makes its way across the gallery walls making for a dazzling display. In the annual celebration of summer, the Center of Southwest Studies will provide coffee, light refreshments and cello music by Sunny Gable. Admission and parking are free. This event is open to the public.

The Center of Southwest Studies is at the north end of the FLC campus. For more information, call 247-7456 or visit http://swcenter.fortlewis.edu.

Macaroni & Cheese Festival to be held

The Macaroni & Cheese Festival will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. June 28 in Santa Rita Park.

The event is for adults 21 and older. Several of Durango’s restaurants will battle to see who has the best macaroni and cheese recipe in town. The event will include sampling various gourmet macaroni-and-cheese dishes as well as wine tasting from more than 10 different wineries and breweries.

The top three chefs will win a sponsored prize. Other activities will include a Corn Hole tournament, live music and more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Durango chapter of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. The cost is $45. Students and military personnel can purchase tickets for $30.

To buy tickets, visit http://bit.ly/1nmcCwH. For more information, call 247-1240.

Vallecito Potluck Picnic to be held June 25

The Southwest Center for Independence, a local nonprofit that helps people with disabilities, will host its annual Kaa-vi- Nuu-ci Tuvu-pu (Mountain Utes Lands) Vallecito Potluck Picnic from noon to 3 p.m. June 25 at the north end of Vallecito Reservoir.

Participants are asked to bring a dish to share. Barbecue, drinks and table service will be provided.

For more information, directions, accessible ride information, dish suggestions or to RSVP, call 403-1463.

5K mud run obstacle course to be held

The Pirate Plunge 5K Mud Run obstacle course will take place at 10 a.m. July 26 at Pirate Hill and Yamaguchi Park in Pagosa Springs.

People can compete as a team or race solo. The race is designed for all athletic abilities. The Pagosa Springs High School Athletic Booster Club is hosting this event, which will support the athletes of Pagosa Springs High School.

To register or for more information, visit www.pirateplunge.com.

Herald Staff