Woman shows boy preserved butterflies
Fireworks are shot off with SBVC mascot Blue raising his arms in the foreground
Performers sing on stage with a symphony playing behind them

The San Bernardino Valley College community and residents from across the Inland Empire enjoyed live music, food, and butterfly-themed activities at SBVC’s annual SummerFest June 20. 

Before the San Bernardino Symphony’s evening concert in the football stadium, attendees perused informational and activity tables run by various SBVC departments and the SBVC Foundation. They also explored the campus’ Oak Garden and participated in a butterfly-themed scavenger hunt for a chance to win prizes. 

The butterfly theme was chosen because, just as a caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, college can be a place of growth, transformation, and new beginnings. 

“We are proud to welcome the community to our campus as the celebration of our centennial continues, and to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday,” said SBVC President Gilbert J. Contreras. 

San Bernardino Symphony Music Director Anthony Parnther invited San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Diana Z. Rodriguez to join him onstage to announce the branches of the military for the Armed Forces Medley. Rodriguez has "really championed this region and championed education here and in our city and beyond," Parnther said, and the Symphony’s longstanding partnership with SBVC is one that "we absolutely treasure." 

The concert included patriotic songs, selections from Broadway musicals sung by guest vocalists, and pieces composed by local students from a summer music camp organized by the Symphony, Cal State San Bernardino, and the San Bernardino City Unified School District.