The 12th annual Driver Village Fall Festival, benefiting the Driver Volunteer Fire Department and sponsored by the Driver Retail Merchant’s Association, is this coming

Oct. 22 and 23.

Saturday’s events run from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday’s from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The two days are stuffed with events and entertainment.

Opening ceremonies begin Saturday at 9:30 a.m., followed by Driver’s own Hometown Parade, complete with Miss Driver Village queens and princesses.

Sunday afternoon features a motorcycle parade on the show grounds at 1:30 p.m. and “The Hunt Family Fiddlers,” an award-winning, high-powered Irish dancing group, performs from 3 to 5 p.m.

Festival organizer Ellisse Parker says everyone is invited.

“This is a very family-oriented event; we have things for little ones all the way up to grandma and grandpa, so, we want to invite everyone.”

A crafter’s market, with fall and holiday wares, fabulous festival food, old-fashioned cakewalks, horse-drawn hayrides, an inflatable children’s fair, blacksmithing demonstrations, living history re-enactments, and live local entertainment are all more than enough to take up the rest of the weekend.

“We have free shuttle service this year, so don’t let the parking hold you back,” Parker said.

The free shuttle service, courtesy of Suffolk’s Department of Parks and Recreation, will run to and from Nansemond River High School from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, then from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Last year’s festival raised $20,000 for the Driver Volunteer Fire Department.

“It is very important as it shows them (the volunteer fire department) we as a community support what they are doing and we’re willing to keep supporting them,” Parker said.

Visit www.DriverVillage.com for more information.