Exclusive Interview with Alisa Yurchenko, President & CEO of Council For Cross-Cultural Affairs, International Kids Festival Organizer
Every year, the International Kids Festival transforms Sacramento into a colorful celebration of culture, creativity, family values, and community spirit. What began over two decades ago as a local multicultural initiative has grown into one of Northern California’s most beloved family festivals, uniting thousands of attendees through music, dance, education, and international traditions.
The 22nd Annual International Kids Festival 2026 once again filled William Land Park with energy, laughter, and inspiration. Children representing diverse backgrounds stepped onto one stage to share their talents, traditions, and dreams with the community.
Behind this large scale production stands an enormous amount of coordination, passion, and dedication. One of the driving forces behind the festival is Alisa Yurchenko, Festival Organizer and community leader who has played an important role in shaping the event into a meaningful cultural platform for children and families. In recognition of her leadership and commitment to multicultural community engagement, special recognition was presented to Alisa Yurchenko from the office of Congresswoman Doris Matsui and California State Senator Roger Niello.
In this exclusive interview, Alisa Yurchenko shares the vision behind the festival, the emotional moments that defined this year’s celebration, and why creating opportunities for children remains at the heart of everything the festival represents.
Alisa, the International Kids Festival has now reached its 22nd year. What does this milestone mean to you personally?
It means responsibility, gratitude, and inspiration all at once. When a festival continues for more than two decades, it becomes much more than an event. It becomes part of the community’s identity and tradition. Children who once attended the festival as young visitors are now returning with their own families and children. Some of them have even become volunteers, performers, organizers, and community leaders themselves. Watching that full circle happen is incredibly emotional because it shows that the festival is not simply creating memories for one day, it is helping shape lasting connections between generations and communities.
For me personally, this project represents hope. It reminds us that children still need spaces where they can express themselves creatively, celebrate their heritage, and feel supported by the community around them.
What was the main goal behind this year’s festival?
Our goal was to create an atmosphere where every child and every family felt welcomed, included, and inspired.
We wanted children from different cultural backgrounds to stand proudly on stage and share who they are through dance, music, vocal performance, and artistic expression. At the same time, we wanted families attending the festival to experience the beauty of cultures they may not encounter every day.
The festival is really about connection. It helps people see that diversity is something beautiful, not something that separates us.
Organizing an event of this scale is not easy. What were some of the biggest challenges this year?
The biggest challenge is always coordination because there are so many moving parts. To create an event of this scale requires months of coordination, communication, and preparation long before the festival day begins.
Months before the festival begins, our team works closely with Park Administration, the City Entertainment Services Division, Fire Department Prevention Code Division, Park Maintenance Supervisors, the County Health Department, production teams, cultural organizations, and hundreds of participating families to coordinate every aspect of the event.
At the same time, we coordinate with schools, volunteers, nonprofits, vendors, sponsors, performers, choreographers, and community partners. Every single performance involves detailed planning, scheduling, rehearsals, technical support, stage management, and constant communication behind the scenes.
Most visitors only see the final celebration, but what they do not see are the countless meetings, permits, logistics, rehearsals, and problem solving required to make everything run smoothly and safely. That level of teamwork and dedication is what truly makes the festival possible.
But despite the challenges, what makes it worth it is seeing the final result. When the park fills with families smiling, children dancing, and communities interacting peacefully, you realize all the effort had purpose.
What moments during the festival stood out to you emotionally?
Honestly, there were many emotional moments throughout the day. We had more than 400 performers participate in the festival, and every single one of them deserved applause and recognition. Children came from different parts of California to showcase their talents, celebrate culture, imagination, storytelling, and the beauty of movement through a diverse lineup of performances. All of them received well deserved applause and recognition from the organizers, producers, and representatives of both Congressional and California State government offices.
One of the most emotional experiences for me personally was watching children backstage before their performances. Some were nervous, some excited, some helping each other with costumes, while others encouraged first time performers before they walked onto the stage. You could see genuine friendships forming between children from completely different cultural backgrounds.
Equally powerful was watching parents in the audience recording performances with pride and emotion. For many families, these moments become lifelong memories that they will cherish forever.
To name a few remarkable new performers this year, I would first mention the talented students of Honor Dance Academy. These young performers, ranging in age from just 2 to 5 years old, experienced their very first public stage performance at our festival. Watching them step onto the Main Stage with excitement, courage, and joy was incredibly touching for everyone in attendance.
One unforgettable musical highlight came from 10 year old classical pianist Simon Gaitsgory, whose passion and emotion shine through every note he plays. Simon recently earned a Top 3 placement at the Friends of Children with Special Needs Talent Showcase at the Santa Clara Convention Center as a musician on the autism spectrum. Beyond the stage, Simon also performs at senior living communities and special needs events, helping raise awareness and inspiring others through music and kindness.
A truly spectacular debut on the International Kids Festival Main Stage was presented by Clarissa Kowalski, an extraordinary 12 year old self taught aerialist, contortionist, and circus acrobat, who is also the owner of Fly High Circus from the Bay Area. She has performed on America’s Got Talent and at the Aerial Olympics, impressing audiences with her strength, flexibility, artistry, and captivating stage presence.
Among the standout dance organizations featured this year was the Universal Conservatory of Ballet. Led by Bolshoi trained and Vaganova Method educators Arsen and Oksana Serobian, the academy is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of young artists through discipline, artistry, and excellence. Their students are trained not only in classical ballet technique, but also in musicality, acting, character development, and stage confidence.
I would also like to mention that Arsen Serobian and Oksana Serobian will serve as the official choreographers for our next signature event, Miss California International 2026, which will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026, as part of the annual Best Business Awards Ceremony & Gala 2026.
Why are cultural festivals important for younger generations today?
Because children today are growing up in a very fast, digital world where real human interaction is becoming limited.
The International Kids Festival creates real life experiences that children remember for years. It allows them to communicate face to face, support one another, and experience different cultures directly instead of through stereotypes or social media clips. The festival gives children an opportunity to build friendships, confidence, and respect for diversity in a natural and joyful environment. When children participate in multicultural events, they develop empathy, confidence, communication skills, and respect for diversity naturally. Those are qualities that will help shape stronger communities in the future.
The festival also includes educational and health organizations, nonprofits, and businesses. Why is that partnership important?
Because community building requires collaboration. When schools, nonprofits, businesses, and cultural groups work together, they create opportunities that no single organization could create alone. The festival becomes a platform where everyone contributes toward something positive for children and families. I believe businesses especially play an important role in supporting community initiatives. When companies invest into youth programs and cultural events, they help strengthen the entire region. The festival grounds were thoughtfully divided into multiple interactive areas designed to educate, entertain, and inspire children and families throughout the day. In addition to the Main Stage performances, guests enjoyed cultural exhibits, family activities, community resources, games, food vendors, and hands on educational experiences that created a vibrant atmosphere across William Land Park.
A special highlight this year was the Education Zone, organized by festival partner Gateway Community Charters. This interactive area provided children and parents with engaging educational activities, STEAM based learning experiences, hands on projects, and opportunities to connect with schools and programs dedicated to student growth, innovation, creativity, and academic success. The zone encouraged children to explore science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in a fun, family friendly environment that inspired curiosity and lifelong learning.
The festival also featured a dedicated Health Zone sponsored by UC Davis Health, where families had access to valuable wellness information, community health resources, educational materials, and interactive activities promoting healthy lifestyles and preventive care. The presence of UC Davis Health reinforced the festival’s commitment not only to cultural enrichment, but also to the overall wellbeing of children and families in our community.
What message would you like every child leaving the festival to remember?
I want every child to leave the International Kids Festival feeling proud of who they are. Whether they performed on stage, participated in activities, volunteered, or simply attended with their family, I hope they felt accepted, encouraged, and inspired. I want children to understand that their culture, talents, creativity, and voice truly matter. Events like the International Kids Festival give young people an opportunity to express themselves confidently, connect with others, and feel supported by the community around them. Most importantly, I want every child to leave believing they can dream bigger than they imagined before and understand that their future has no limits.
What are your hopes for the future of the International Kids Festival?
I hope the festival continues growing while staying true to its mission of unity, culture, and community. I would love to see even more schools, performers, and organizations become involved in future years. I also hope the festival continues inspiring the next generation of leaders, artists, educators, and community builders. Most importantly, I want the festival to remain a place where children feel joy, connection, and possibility.
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The International Kids Festival once again proved that when communities invest in children, culture, and creativity, something extraordinary happens. Attendees came together not only to celebrate performances and traditions, but to celebrate one another.
For Alisa Yurchenko, the festival is more than an annual event. It is a mission driven platform of the Council for Cross-Cultural Affairs, dedicated to empowering children, strengthening families, and building bridges across cultures through education, creativity, and community engagement.
And as the applause echoed across William Land Park once again this year, one thing became clear: the spirit of the International Kids Festival continues to grow stronger with every generation.
✅ Looking ahead, preparations have already begun for the 23rd Annual International Kids Festival, scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2027, during Memorial Day Weekend. Organizers expect the festival to continue expanding its multicultural programming, educational activities, live performances, and family focused experiences while welcoming even more schools, cultural organizations, performers, community leaders, and sponsors from across California.
For Alisa Yurchenko and the organizing team, the vision remains clear: to continue creating a platform where children can discover confidence, celebrate diversity, build friendships, and experience the power of community through art, culture, and live human connection.
Vendor booth reservations and cultural performers casting are now officially open for the upcoming International Kids Festival. Businesses, nonprofits, schools, dance studios, music groups, and community organizations are invited to participate in this multicultural celebration and connect directly with families from across the Sacramento region. Limited performance and vendor spaces are available.
To explore additional festival photos, participating organizations, stage performances, sponsor highlights, and community updates, follow the International Kids Festival on Instagram:
www.instagram.com/internationalkidsfestival
Info Line: (916) 483-5454
