OCEANSIDE - Anyone who wants a thrill can get their fill this extended holiday weekend at the carnival that's part of Ofest, the community's annual Independence Day celebration presented by MainStreet Oceanside.

Just ask Daniel Perez, a 3-year-old who braved the mini-roller coaster called "Dragon Wagon" Sunday, along with his sister Cynthia, 11, and brother Omar, 9.

The pink coaster car, shaped somewhat like a dragon's body, roared along the track, up the curve, around a bend and back down again, completing a trip around the track.

"Yay!" the wide-eyed children collectively called out, followed by "Whoa!" when the coaster car took another small curve.

"It was cool!" Daniel told his mother, Eva, when he ran to her after getting off the ride.

Chock full of games and rides, the carnival at Myers Street and Mission Avenue will run through Tuesday, opening at 11 a.m. each day. In addition to the carnival, the five-day-long Ofest 2006 includes a seaside street fair, free concerts and a fireworks display Tuesday night.

Ofest kicked off Saturday with a Fourth of July parade through downtown Oceanside.

Eva Perez said her family comes to the carnival just about every year.

"And we always have a good time," she added, hoisting Daniel up and into her arms.

Her children wanted to get to the carnival before it got crowded, Perez added, so her family arrived shortly after the carnival opened. It wasn't long after that the crowd started to build slowly.

In that crowd was Tanya Johnson, 38, of Oceanside, her parents and her 15-year-old niece, Nickie.

"We just wanted to get out of the house, so we walked down here. I live close by," Johnson said. "We came to the carnival when it was here last year. It's a good idea to have this because it gives kids something to do and people a chance to spend time with their families or friends."

Ofest continues today with the opening of the seaside street fair at 10 a.m. More than 150 vendors will be stationed along Pacific Street and Mission Avenue today and Tuesday, offering a variety of gifts, arts and crafts, clothing, products, services and corporate giveaways. There will also be more than 30 vendors selling treats ranging from fried foods to fresh fruit.

Today will also be the start of two days of live music at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheater. The free concert series will be held today and Tuesday from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Over the two days, nine separate acts will play different types of music, such as country, classic rock and blues.

The fireworks display over the Oceanside pier on Tuesday is scheduled to start at 9 p.m. Radio station KYXY 96.5 FM will broadcast a musical soundtrack synchronized to the fireworks show.

- Contact staff writer Lorell Fleming at (760) 731-5798 of lfleming@nctimes.com.