Two boys wrestled for a sword-shaped balloon, while a group of girls waited, knees wiggling, for ice cream cones to be painted on their cheeks.

Hundreds packed Liberty Park Wednesday for Kids’ Day, enjoying free activities, candy and crafts.

It was the first major event for IKEA Renton River Days, which runs through Sunday.

Parents love that the event is free, said Stephanie Ybarra, who brought her two children.

Large inflatable structures dominated the middle of the park, and so did the lines leading up to them.

Three kids, ages 3 and 4, shot off a pirate-ship-shaped slide and ran off giggling.

“The kids have a blast,” said Melinda Houdak, who brought her son twice.

It’s safer for kids than other events, because the park is relatively small, Houdak said. “It’s a good community event.”

The Wenatchee Youth Circus, the main act, wowed children with flying trapeze act, tight-rope walks and all kinds of flipping.

“It was fun for the kids,” Ybarra said.