Russian Time Magazine

California’s Most Joyful Celebration of Childhood: A Conversation with Festival Founder Sergey Ivannikov

When the last school bell rings and summer excitement fills the air, thousands of families across Northern California head to one place: the International Kids Festival in Sacramento. Now celebrating its 21st year, this vibrant celebration is more than just bounce houses and pony rides — it’s a colorful, multicultural mosaic that brings together community, culture, and childhood wonder.

We sat down with Sergey Ivannikov, the visionary behind this spectacular event and the founder of Russian American Media, to find out what’s in store for 2025 and why this event is so meaningful to so many.

Sergey, tell us about the 2025 International Kids Festival. When and where will it take place?

This year marks the 21st edition of the festival! It’s one of the largest free children’s events in California. It will take place on Saturday, May 24, during Memorial Day Weekend, in celebration of International Children’s Day. We’ll be hosting it at the beautiful William Land Park, right across from the Sacramento Zoo and Fairytale Town.
Why was this particular date chosen?

Not every family has the chance to take their kids to Disneyland or fly to the beach by the end of the school year. So, we want to create a bright and memorable celebration for the children and families staying in Sacramento during Memorial Day Weekend.

Would you say your festival delivers Disneyland-level excitement?

In many ways — yes! It’s a true celebration for children and adults alike. Aligned with International Children’s Day, we strive to make it unforgettable. Thanks to our long-time partners, there will be plenty of attractions and interactive zones for kids, such as:

  • Pony rides sponsored by MISI Community Solutions
  • A mini train ride sponsored by Highlands Community Charter and Technical Schools
  • Bounce houses sponsored by American Furniture Galleries
  • A huge racing rally track by Fast Track Hobbies
  • An Art Zone presented by Drawcademy
  • Multicultural stage performances, contests, and giveaways

We’ve invited over 40 ethnic cultural groups to perform on the main stage, featuring dancers, musicians, choirs, and sports teams.
One of the key ideas of the festival is uniting children from different cultures. How important is that?

It’s incredibly important. When children from different cultural backgrounds meet at this festival, perform on a professional stage, interact, and form friendships — those bonds can last a lifetime. Plus, teens get the opportunity to volunteer, earn community service credits, and gain experience that will benefit their future.

And getting used to the big stage is important too, especially for those who want a future in performing arts.

Exactly. Many children who once performed on this stage are now professional musicians and athletes. They coach kids and adults around the world. It’s deeply rewarding to see former participants grow into internationally recognized stars.
Can talents or groups still apply to perform on the main stage, or is the program already finalized?

The program is nearly finalized, but we still have a few open spots. Online auditions are ongoing. If you have a talented child or group, just send us a video of the performance to ceo@c4cca.org, and our casting committee will review it.

Does your organization provide volunteer service credit hours?

Absolutely. We issue official volunteer documentation to high school students, which they can use as extra credit for college and university applications.
How can teens sign up to volunteer?

It’s easy: just register as a volunteer on our website, www.InternationalKidsFestival.org, and one of our team members will reach out with assignments.

Will there be educational programs for adults at the event?

Yes. Many career and nonprofit organizations will be there to assist with professional education. Attendees can receive guidance on learning English, employment, diploma validation, business startups, resume writing, marketing, and promotion.
What other resources can attendees expect at the festival?

Visitors can get information on a wide range of important topics such as immigration, healthcare, insurance, investments, real estate, financial literacy, business financing, and more. For example, Marina Bobrovsky, an agent with Windermere Real Estate, will explain programs for first-time homebuyers, financing options, and tips on choosing the right property.

That’s fantastic! Parents can take care of important matters while their kids have fun. Should they come prepared with questions?

Definitely! You can even email us your questions in advance so we can connect you with the right experts — including those we haven’t yet invited.
Will there be top-quality food? No one’s going hungry, right?

Of course! Our featured restaurant, Caravan, will offer delicious Uzbek halal food like plov, kebabs, and other crowd favorites. Plus, we’ll have food trucks with diverse cultural cuisine and a wide selection of international sweets and desserts.

Is admission still free?

Yes! The festival offers free entrance, free parking, free attractions, and free public transportation to and from the event. It’s our way of saying thank you for the opportunity to be blessed in this country. Naturally, it’s a big investment, so we welcome sponsors, partners, and donors, and we’re happy to connect with vendors looking to grow their businesses. Companies can also advertise in the official event program, which is handed out to attendees.
Full details are available at www.InternationalKidsFestival.org and on our Instagram page: instagram.com/internationalkidsfestival. For any questions, feel free to call us at (916) 483-5454.
People love gifts — will there be prize drawings at the event?

Absolutely! Nearly every booth will offer prize giveaways, ranging from $10 to several hundred dollars. Raffles will take place every 30 minutes from the main stage. Don’t forget your business cards! And if you don’t have one, vendors will have entry forms available.

Do you already know what kind of prizes the sponsors are offering?

Yes! We have a great lineup — kids’ bicycles, scooters, toy sets, a mini Mercedes-Benz car, food vouchers, and tickets to parks, museums, and movie theaters.
Parking is often a big issue at events like this. How are you handling it?

It is a challenge — the event has grown into one of the largest free festivals in California. We encourage attendees to carpool or use the free shuttle service provided by Sacramento Regional Transit. Shuttle coupons are available on our website. Additionally, Sacramento City College will offer overflow parking.

Will there be medical consultations available?

Yes, our Health Zone, sponsored by UC Davis, will include over 20 medical organizations offering professional consultations. While there won’t be on-site checkups, visitors can receive expert guidance on various health topics.
What new zones will appear this year?

We’re excited to introduce a new Art Zone, sponsored by Drawcademy, where children can try drawing and painting. If a child enjoys the experience, parents will be able to enroll them in art classes.

Any special guests this year?

Yes — we’re thrilled to welcome Hollywood actor Will Roberts, who will be one of our official festival hosts.

We’ll also be recognizing co-organizers, partners, and community leaders on stage — those who have made a meaningful impact in our region. We expect the participation of state senators, congressional representatives, mayors, and city officials.

A particularly special moment will be the official recognition of Farkhod Soatov and Aziza Ibragimkhodjaeva as official representatives of Uzbekistan in the U.S. As someone who emigrated from Uzbekistan many years ago, this is deeply personal and meaningful to me.
How will safety be managed?

We’re working with police, private security, and medical professionals. A first-aid tent will be available on-site. We encourage parents to hold their young children by the hand, stay vigilant near the lake, and place a note with their phone number in the child’s pocket — just in case.
What time does the festival start and how long does it run?

The event runs from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. If you have little ones and want to avoid long lines, I recommend arriving right at 10:00 AM. We welcome everyone — from toddlers to grandparents — to this joyful Sacramento tradition and California’s ultimate celebration of childhood!
Festival Info

📅 Date: Saturday, May 24, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: William A. Carroll Amphitheater
3901 Land Park Drive, Sacramento, CA 95822

🔗 Details & Registration: www.InternationalKidsFestival.org
📞 Info Line: (916) 483-5454
📞 Vendor/Booth Reservations: (916) 519-6461
2025-04-04 07:11 EVENTS