Hundreds of kids take part in International Youth Festival in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds of children took the stage on Saturday to show off their Punjabi pride in Central Fresno.

More than 500 kids took part in the International Youth Festival at Roeding Park. The seventh annual event even attracted performers from as far away as Canada.

Organizers say the festival is the culmination of weeks of practice for the young performers. "We actually had a two-week camp at Punjabi School Fresno. So we had kids come there, they learned, and today this is their day to shine. So there's a big stage, and it's all for the kids," said Gurdeep Shergill.

The event is meant to show pride in the Punjabi American culture and encourage kids to stay away from drugs.