RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Despite a cloudy sky and light drizzle, the 35th annual Kid’s Day in the Park was a resounding success, drawing families to Hagan Community Park in Rancho Cordova.

Hosted by the Cordova Community Council, the event provided a day full of fun, free activities, and important resources for families with children 12 and under.

Held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 26, Kid’s Day is a long-standing Rancho Cordova tradition that has evolved over the years into a beloved community event. This year’s festivities had a special focus on teamwork and sportsmanship, featuring a sports-themed “Champions” theme.

Although the weather didn’t cooperate, organizers were optimistic about the turnout.

“We’re making a little history here today,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council. “This is the first time in 35 years that we’ve had rain on Kid’s Day. I was worried no one would show up but we’ve opened up our overflow parking lot and we’re seeing so many smiling faces.”

Blanchard explained that Kid’s Day has been a passion project of the Cordova Community Council for nearly two decades. Originally founded elsewhere in Sacramento County, the event was taken over by the Folsom Cordova Unified School District before eventually being run by the Cordova Community Council.

“Kid’s Day started at White Rock Park and it was a way to take back the park from some negative elements in the area,” Blanchard said. “Now, it’s just a glorious day to be a kid. We’ve grown it into something really special, with over 120 different things for kids to do.”

The event, which was free to attend, offered a wide variety of hands-on activities for children and valuable resources for parents. Exhibitors included youth sports leagues, health and wellness organizations, and local service providers. Many booths featured free games and activities for youth, ensuring that everyone had something to enjoy.

“We have kids from all over here now, not only from Rancho Cordova,” said Angela Griffin from the Folsom Cordova Unified School District.

One of the highlights of Kid’s Day was the “Field of Dreams,” where youth had the opportunity to participate in a range of engaging activities, including Taekwondo showcases, obstacle courses, and a Cordova Recreations and Park District sports showcase.

Other popular attractions included the Mad Science Trebuchet, Kind Bubbles, the Sacramento County Petting Zoo, live steamers train rides, the PAL Bike Rodeo and a Sports Zone featuring a climbing wall.

“I got to ride the train and climb the wall and I even pet a goat. I think the bubbles were my favorite part,” said Noah James

“Our parks and recreation team loves to be part of this event,” said Nina Sinor from the Cordova Parks and Recreation District. “We’re here every year to engage with the community and showcase what we do, whether that’s adult sports, aquatics, classes or our summer camps. My favorite part is definitely interacting with the kids and telling them about our upcoming summer programs.”

In addition to the fun, the event had a more serious side. Kid’s Day is part of the larger celebration of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month, with mental health resources provided by Sacramento County Department of Behavioral Health exhibitors. Families could learn about available services for kids, with a focus on mental health issues affecting children in the community.

“This is our first year coming to Kid’s Day, and I’m so glad we did! It’s such a great way to spend time together as a family. The kids are having a blast with all the activities and I love that there are so many resources for parents, too,” said Rancho Cordova resident Megan Brooks.

The event’s major sponsors, including the Folsom Cordova Unified School District and the Sacramento County Department of Behavioral Health, helped make the day a success.

“We ask exhibitors to have something fun and free for kids to do at every table. This is all about bringing families together and offering resources in a fun, welcoming way,” said Blanchard emphasized the collaborative effort behind Kid’s Day.

By the end of the day, despite the overcast skies, Kid’s Day in the Park had brought joy to children and families from across the region.