RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Cordova’s vibrant iFest international festival returned with an explosion of color and music Saturday as thousands of happy attendees celebrated world cultures.

Sponsored by the Cordova Community Council, and packing Village Green Park, iFest is intended to showcase and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Rancho Cordova by encouraging cultural groups to display their heritage.

They did.

Stage performances featured native dance and music from ten countries, including China, Korea, Croatia, Ukraine, India, Lebanon, Egypt and Mexico.

An energetic “Carnivale” finale was presented by the Brazilian Center of Sacramento, complete with pounding drums and performers wearing headdresses with two-foot plumes.  The ever-changing entertainment was hosted by Andy Gee, who guided the audience on a musical world tour around the globe.

Koreana Plaza International Market sponsored tastes from around the globe at “Wines of the World,” while families posed for green screen photos from exotic global destinations. Visitors were adorned with Henna art, smiled for caricature artists and even had their fortunes told.  Pony rides entertained children, who could also get up close to llamas and reptiles from around the planet.

The Sacramento Children’s Museum, inspired by the novel “Kite Runner,” set in Afghanistan, helped children make their own kites.  And Rancho Cordova Arts member assisted youngsters paint African-inspired masks.

“No other event showcases the warmth and welcoming hearts of Rancho Cordova than does iFest,” said Shelly Blanchard, executive director of the Cordova Community Council.  “It’s a day to embrace not only our differences, but what we have in common.  It’s fun, and it’s beautiful, and always a great day for Rancho Cordova.”

Rancho Cordova’s rich cultural diversity was the inspiration for iFest.  The city is considered to be the 29th most diverse city in the United States, with more than 90 languages spoken at local schools.  It is the only local celebration which showcases the many cultural traditions which make Rancho Cordova the melting pot it is. 

This was the 14^th celebration of iFest, which has been part of the Cordova Community Council event line-up for more than a decade.  The celebration took a two-year hiatus during COVID, but made a strong comeback last year, which continued into last weekend.

Rancho Cordova iFest is supported by numerous sponsors and organizations, including a grant from the Sacramento County Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT), Councilman David Sander, City of Rancho Cordova, SMUD, Cordova Recreation and Park District, Sacramento County, Rancho Cordova Family Tae Kwon Do, Rancho Cordova Fiber City, Rancho Cordova Arts, Rancho Cordova Food Locker, Republic Services, Heritage Community Credit Union, Aurora Apartments, Golden State Water, Belka & Hagan Families, River City Christian, Visit Rancho Cordova, California American Water, Rancho Cordova Rotary Club, RC Healthcare, Rancho Cordova Moose Lodge, Sunrise Orthdontics and Folsom Cordova Unified School District.