Twilight Festival has always been held in memory of Doug Hardy but this year it will also be dedicated to the memory of a boy whose parents let his spirit live on through the donation of his organs.

Joseph Fahey, a Chaloner Middle School student, died in February at the age of 12. “On their worst day his parents made the decision to help other people,” said Kimberly Graybeal, of Hope For Hardy, an organization which raises awareness of organ donations. “They set aside their grief and made a decision that helps others.”

Graybeal said Fahey’s parents have been invited to draw the winning ping pong balls which entitle winners to cash or Main Street Roanoke Rapids gift certificates. “We want to do our best to honor his memory like he deserves.”

Twilight Festival, a fundraiser for Hope For Hardy, gets underway at 5 p.m. on Roanoke Avenue September 23 and concludes at Centennial Park with the drawing and a concert by the band Feature Attraction.

Hardy, for whom the organization is named, needed a liver transplant, Graybeal said. “We organized Hope For Hardy to raise funds and we never thought he would not receive a liver. But on August 26 of 2013 we were faced with the hard facts that he would not.”

While part of Hope for Hardy is to raise awareness, the other part of the mission is to financially assist people who received transplants. In its nine years of existence, Hope for Hardy has raised $40,000.

There is a larger goal as well, Graybeal said. “Hope for Hardy wants to one day fully sponsor one person for a total transplant.”

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While serious in its aim, the festival is just as its name implies — a street fair with vendors, entertainment and food trucks. “This year’s festival is basically a repeat performance,” of last year’s, Graybeal said, with the exception that its organizers are making it bigger and better.

One of the highlights of the event is the ping pong ball drop on the avenue — 1,200 of them.

The grand prize ball is worth $1,000

The first prize ball is $500

The second prize ball is $250 in Main Street business certificates

The third prize ball is $100 in Main Street business certificates

The ball drop will start at twilight — roughly between 7:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. — in the 900 block of the avenue and downward to the 800 block.

Roanoke Rapids artist Riley Mills will be doing a speed-painting and the finished work will be auctioned off by Landen Morris.

In the Nuts and Buds Vendor Alley, located between the housing authority and Dixon law firm, Carson Arthur will be promoting Be the Match, which raises awareness of bone marrow transplants. He’ll have kits available in which eligible potential donors can have the inside of their mouths swabbed.

The vendor alley is named after its sponsor, Nuts and Buds, which sells peanuts and hemp products.

There will be plenty of local arts and crafts vendors in the alley selling a variety of items including arts and crafts, candles, soaps and even fairy hair.

Food trucks will be selling items ranging from hibachi foods, funnel cakes, snow cones, pretzels, ice cream and hot dogs. Food vendors will be in the 900 and 1000 blocks. 

Joey Landen will be at the 1026 Urban Greenspace playing music.

Once the balls are dropped the attendees are encouraged to come to Centennial Park to listen to the Feature Attraction band.

Graybeal said Hope for Hardy has had many partners in putting the festival plans together. “The Halifax County Convention and Visitors Bureau has helped as has the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce. All of the department heads from the city have been in our corner,” she said. “Riverside Savings Bank has been a huge supporter of Hope for Hardy and Twilight Festival since the beginning.”

Graybeal said the festival also helps to promote small businesses “which is where Main Street Roanoke Rapids comes into play.”

And then there is the festival’s underlying mission. “We just want to invite everyone to come out and we want to bend your ear about organ donations,” Graybeal said.