It’s almost time for Driver Days again.

For the 18th year, the village of Driver is hosting the annual fall festival that features live music, games and activities, and plenty of food.

The festivities will take place Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Oct. 23 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Joan Mayo, the treasurer for Driver Days, has been helping out with the event since its inception almost 20 years ago.

“It was on a small scale at first, and every year, it has grown,” she said.

Mayo said only eight people work all year long to make Driver Days a reality, but it always ends up working out just fine.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It all works out.”

The festivities will kick off Oct. 22 with the Driver Days parade, featuring this year’s grand marshal, Thomas McLemore, the principal of Nansemond River High School.

Mayo said they wanted to honor the principal and the school through the parade.

“We build a lot around him and the school in the parade,” she said.

During the weekend, other events will include a cornhole tournament, arts and crafts, bounce houses and activities for children, a petting zoo, monster truck rides, car and motorcycle shows, a hot dog eating contest and live music from Honkytonk Highway and Dixie Twister.

Additionally, there will be a Civil War re-enactment performed both days, and a group of blacksmiths will demonstrate how armor and other items are made.

Mayo said there will be tons of food at Driver Days, including barbecue, hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cake.

Parking will be provided at Berea Christian Church for $5. Additional parking will be available at Glebe Episcopal Church for $3, and a shuttle will take guests to the event.

All of the parking fees will be used as donations to the churches.

Mayo said the group hopes to raise around $8,000 from Driver Days to donate to local causes, Mayo said.

Some will go to the Driver Volunteer Fire Department for its help in the community and with the event, and a portion will go to Driver Furry Friends to help provide cat food and litter for cats that are being fostered while they prepare to be adopted.

The rest of the money will provide a scholarship to a Nansemond River High School student, Mayo said.

“We want to give at least a $1,000 scholarship, if not more,” she said.

Mayo said she encourages people to come out and enjoy Driver Days.

“It is an event that has always tried to be the old fashion get-together that’s based on kids and families getting together to enjoy themselves,” she said. “It’s really good fun.”

For more information, visit www.driverevents.com or call 538-2488.