Free events in La Verne, CA

The Pomona Concert Band brings its 79th Annual Summer Concert Series to a close at the Palomares Park Community Center with An American Musical Journey of 250 Years, a program celebrating the nation’s musical heritage. Led by Artistic Director and Conductor Linda W. Taylor with Assistant Conductor Kerry Kline, and MC’d by Paula Lantz, the performance features “Hail to the Spirit of Liberty,” “Fantasy on American Sailing Songs,” “Shenandoah,” “Bugler’s Holiday,” music from “Beauty and the Beast,” and a “Salute to the Armed Forces,” concluding with “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The band is sponsored by the City of Pomona, and all performances in this series are free to the public.

Coyote Moon performs live at the Shelton Park bandshell. Attendees may bring blankets, chairs, and a picnic basket, and are welcome to come with a friend. The concert is free.

At Trinity United Methodist Church in Pomona, this 25th annual workshop focuses on caring for and restoring older homes. Admission is free, and attendees can learn practical ways to maintain, repair, and appreciate the character of their houses. Membership is not required to participate. Donations for the silent auction are welcome, with pickup available beforehand or drop-off on the morning of the workshop.

The Fourth Saturdays poetry series at the Claremont Helen Renwick Library presents a reading with Serena Chopra and Anna Zumbahlen. This program is free and open to the public, and books will be available for purchase. The series follows Los Angeles County Covid guidelines and is supported by Friends of the Claremont Library. Serena Chopra is a writer, dancer, filmmaker, and performance artist. Her accolades include an NEA Creative Writing Fellowship, fellowships from MacDowell and Kundiman, a RedLine artist residency, and a Fulbright. Her third book, A Catalog of Future Mercies, is published by Graywolf Press. Anna Zumbahlen is a poet from Colorado with a PhD in English and Literary Arts from the University of Denver. Her debut collection, Surety, received the Hillary Gravendyk Prize. She lives in Los Angeles, where she supports research at the Getty Research Institute.

Blacklight Run returns to Pomona with an untimed 5K centered on glowing fun. Walkers and runners of all ages make their way through multiple neon color zones that shine under high-powered blacklights. Wearing white with bright accents turns participants into glowing works of art while upbeat music keeps the momentum going. The finish area transforms into a high-energy celebration with a live DJ, group color tosses, dancing, and plenty of photo moments. It is a fit for families, groups of friends, and fans of festive fun runs. Free registration is available for a limited time, and spots may go quickly.