The Downtown Driver Merchant’s Association knew they threw a good party last year, but they never expected to win the Rookie of the Year Community award.

They’re not eligible for that award anymore, so they’re stepping it up a notch to shoot for a Best Community award.

“If I do it, I’m going to do it good,” said Ken Parsons, owner of the Knot Hole Station store. “I was kind of shocked when we got it last year. We’re going to make it bigger and better this year.”

The party will include a jail where some of Driver’s finest citizens — including Parsons’ mother — will be locked up and must beg for their bail money. The proceeds will go to help pay for the food — 700 hot dogs have been ordered — as well as pony rides and inflatable bounce houses for the kids. Leftover money will go into the Driver Days fund or to teachers at Driver Elementary School for supplies.

The highlight of the evening in driver will be the “mascot cornhole challenge.”

The Bojangle’s chicken, Chick-fil-A cow, CHKD Healthy Bear and Rip Tide from the Norfolk Tides will be in attendance. When Nat Knight, Sparky the Fire Dog and McGruff the Crime Dog arrive, it will be an all-out frenzy to see which mascot can score the highest in cornhole.

In addition, there will be a monster truck, clown, children’s games and all manner of refreshments.

But the real reason for National Night Out is meeting new people and getting to know your neighbors, Parsons said.

“It’s just great to get the people in the community out and get to meet new people,” Parsons said.

All the neighborhoods off the roads that lead into Driver have been invited, Parsons said. Attendees will be able to make nametags listing their name and which neighborhood they’re from.

“This will really help the community awareness and show people that we’re here in Driver,” Parsons said. “This is the most enjoyable event. It’s the most fun out of all the things I’ve ever done.”

The Driver celebration will happen at the Knot Hole Station, 3129 Kings Highway.