RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Families filled Village Green Park on Saturday May 9 as music, dance and the sounds of celebration from around the world marked the 17th annual Rancho Cordova iFest International Festival.

The free community event, held from 5 to 9 p.m., brought together residents of all backgrounds under this year’s theme, “E Pluribus Unum — From Many, One.” Organized by the Cordova Community Council, iFest featured cultural performances, food trucks, exhibits and hands-on activities designed to celebrate the city’s diversity.

“This started because we wanted to give people who were just moving to this country a chance to come and show off their cultures,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council. “But it’s kind of expanded from there. I think people just like to come out and learn about other cultures with their neighbors.”

Organized by the Cordova Community Council, iFest featured cultural performances, food trucks, exhibits and hands-on activities designed to celebrate the city’s diversity. Photo by Rick Sloan

Crowds gathered around the main stage throughout the evening as performers showcased traditions from around the world. The lineup included classical Indian kathak dance by The Light of Dance, Korean drumming performances, Scottish highland dancing, Bollywood dance routines, mariachi music from Cordova High School’s Las Perlas club and Ballet Folklórico performances.

The festival concluded with Danza Azteca Xiuhtecuhtli, whose dancers performed traditional Indigenous Mexican dances.

One of the newest attractions this year was Polynesian wrestling, featuring six matches led by Oasis Pro Wrestling School and Journey Fatu, a Cordova High School graduate and member of the famed Fatu wrestling family.

Blanchard said the addition reflected the festival’s goal of highlighting culture in many forms.

“Polynesian wrestling is about warrior culture and boys becoming men,” Blanchard said. “It’s got a cultural part to it, and people love it.”

Kids lined up for piñata games held every 20 minutes, eagerly gathering handfuls of candy after each swing. Photo by Rick Sloan

Vice Mayor Linda Budge, who said she has attended every iFest since it began nearly two decades ago, called the festival one of the city’s most meaningful traditions.

“When you do a festival that involves people and their families, they bring all their aunts and uncles and cousins and neighbors,” Budge said. “Everybody just has a great time.”

Budge said her favorite part of the festival is its global atmosphere.

“You can’t live in Rancho Cordova, with all of the different voices around you and all the different cultures around you, without wanting to be able to be polite to them,” Budge said.

The free community event, held from 5 to 9 p.m., brought together residents of all backgrounds under this year’s theme, “E Pluribus Unum — From Many, One.” Photo by Rick Sloan

Throughout the park, families visited booths offering henna tattoos, face painting, hair braiding, tarot card readings and children’s crafts. Kids lined up for piñata games held every 20 minutes, while others explored exhibits about immigration and community programs.

At the All Ways Learning booth, children decorated “waves of kindness” flags with drawings and messages about compassion.

“We ask them to think about somebody that’s been kind to them and how they can be kind to others,” said Dr. Marlena Uhrik, who led the activity. “I think our world needs it now more than ever.”

Residents said the event offered more than entertainment, it created opportunities for connection.

“It’s just so diverse now,” said Rancho Cordova resident Rosie Mejia, who attended with her family. “We’re all one. Just spread kindness.”

Mejia said her young son especially enjoyed the wrestling matches and stage performances.

Music, dance and the sounds of celebration from around the world marked the 17th annual Rancho Cordova iFest International Festival. Photo by Rick Sloan

Councilmember David M. Sander, Ph.D. said events like iFest help bring together residents from across the city.

“It’s all too easy for people to segregate into their little group,” Sander said. “This is a great opportunity to push people together.”

Sander noted the city partners with the Cordova Community Council on hundreds of events each year aimed at strengthening community ties.

For longtime resident Curt Haven, the festival’s lasting impact can be seen in the way it draws people together year after year.

“You would come, you didn’t know anybody,” Haven said. “Then their grandmas came, their grandpas came, their aunts came. It became an adventure for people in Rancho Cordova.”

Blanchard said the festival’s message ultimately comes down to finding unity.

“We may be different, but we have an awful lot in common and there's something beautiful in that,” she said.

Performers take part in a multicultural showcase during the free community event at Village Green Park. Photo by Rick Sloan