OCEANSIDE — The day was all about the children. Dia del Nino, or Day of the Child, celebrated children on a grand scale at Joe Balderrama Park with pony rides, mariachi music, face painting, a climbing wall, bounce houses, cartoon wrestling, information booths and plenty of entertainment April 26.

“The day is focused on the youth in the community, they’re the main attraction,” said Eastside Neighborhood Association volunteer Wayne Godinet. “This is the third year I’ve participated and it’s the biggest, most well-attended year.”

The event has grown from its grassroots start several years ago to a collaborative effort of more than a half-dozen organizations.

“I told my children this is a special day to celebrate you, and they wanted to go,” said Maricela Arron of Oceanside.

Boys and girls liked the idea of a day to celebrate kids. “I think it’s cool,” said Christ ian Stone, 9, of Oceanside.

Adults enjoyed the smiles on children’s faces. “I think it’s a neat idea, especially watching the kids having such a fun time,” said Ed Sox, an Oceanside Rotary volunteer.

This year Dia del Nino was one of more than a dozen Oceanside events that community groups and city services joined together to support April 26. The idea of community support days is to bring neighborhoods together with community improvement projects and family friendly celebrations.

“We’re trying to keep the kids active in the community,” said Leticia Phelps, a New Song Church volunteer. “We want to teach them to care about where they live, and that they matter.”