Driver, typically a small, quiet town, was buzzing with life on Saturday. Thousands gathered for the town’s annual premier event, Driver Days, which continues Sunday.

People of all ages and from all areas of Hampton Roads and beyond gathered for the weekend festivities.

The streets were lined with vendors selling wares ranging from food to jewelry.

The air rang with bluegrass tunes, muddled conversations and youthful shrieks. Toddlers with ketchup-stained shirts waddled along with one hand holding their mother’s hand and the other holding cotton candy.

Several furry companions trekked the main road with their owners, with their slobbery tongues hanging and their tails wagging in delight. Off the main road, the elderly huddled under the shade of the store awnings, taking occasional sips from their soft drinks.

Also, Big Juicy and Amy Shirley of popular reality television show, “Lizard Lick Towing,” welcomed dozens of fans with bright smiles.

Cynthia Parker, the widow of Craig Parker, who was the festival founder, was selling her husband’s book for the first time. The book, “Some Are Dead and Some Are Living,” gives a history about the town and the festival.

“It’s a long time coming,” Parker said.

During the festival, the book is being sold at a discounted price of $10 and will return to its original price of $12 once the festival concludes. Additionally, for every book sold, $1 will be donated to the Suffolk Humane Society, Parker said.

Lasandra Tucker, treasurer for the Suffolk Humane Society, thoroughly enjoyed the festival atmosphere.

“It’s a great success,” she said. “People are very kind and giving donations. It’s been a real blessing for us.”

The festival seemed to diminish disappointments from the Peanut Fest, half of which had to be canceled this year due to inclement weather.

Vendors and attendees alike were impressed by the turnout.

John Gray, a Chesapeake resident, has come out to just about every Driver Days festival for the last 10 years.

“It’s great and it’s fun,” he said.

The festival typically raises upwards of $10,000 in donations, according to Derrold Mark, owner of Big D’s Hawaiian Shaved Ice Cones LLC and festival treasurer.

Donations have been given to local charities and organizations, such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, the Driver Volunteer Fire Department and others.