LANCASTER, MA—Pet Rock Fest, Inc. is thrilled to announce the 27th annual Pet Rock Festival, set to take place on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lancaster Fairgrounds. Following a successful inaugural year at this spacious, animal-friendly venue, the festival is excited to continue its tradition in its new home.
After an unforgettable 26th Pet Rock Festival last October, which attracted thousands of animal lovers to the fairgrounds, it’s clear that this venue is the ideal fit for the Pet Rock mission. The Lancaster Fairgrounds, known as the “home of the Bolton Fair,” offers ample grassy spaces, shaded picnic areas, pavilions, barns, and even a dog-friendly pond—all perfect for a day of pet-centered fun, community, and animal advocacy.
“After years of searching for the right location, we’re thrilled to bring Pet Rock back to Lancaster,” said Charlene Arsenault, Pet Rock Fest co-founder. “This site provides the space and amenities our festival needs to thrive. We look forward to building on last year’s success and welcoming even more supporters to celebrate and promote kindness to animals.”
Pet Rock Fest is New England’s largest event dedicated to animal welfare, featuring live music, interactive activities, and more than 100 animal welfare organizations. Last year’s festival showcased a Rescue Groups and Shelters Pet Parade, engaging K9 demos, “Pups in the Air” disc dog team, vegetarian food court with local favorites curated by VegFest, pet photo contests, the ever-popular amateur dog contest, giveaways, vendors, guest appearances, speakers and more.
The event, as with the many before it, raised critical funds and awareness for animal nonprofits, helping to support rescues, shelters, and advocacy organizations across the region.
We’re not going anywhere, and consider last year a pivotal year in our mission to help as many animal causes as possible.
The 2025 Pet Rock Festival will feature returning favorites, including the aforementioned attractions and features, live performances by local bands, interactive exhibits by CMDART and the American Red Cross, animal-friendly vendors, kids’ activities, and our much-loved Pet Rock Hero awards.
The Pet Rock Festival’s mission has always been to raise awareness and funds for animal welfare, and the Lancaster Fairgrounds allows for expansion in both programming and reach. This year, Pet Rock Fest will again partner with local nonprofit VegFest for a fully vegetarian food court and continue offering free and low-cost pet services, including microchipping and rabies vaccinations.
“We’re grateful for the support from the Lancaster Fairgrounds and our sponsors, vendors, and volunteers who make Pet Rock Fest possible,” added Jeannie Hebert, Pet Rock Fest founding partner. “Their dedication helps us grow and spread awareness about animal welfare every year.”
Pet Rock Fest gives its proceeds to worthy animal related charities that support a variety of causes, from shelters to law reform to farm animal sanctuaries.
Pet Rock Fest encourages everyone passionate about animal welfare to participate, whether as attendees, volunteers, sponsors, or vendors. Those interested in contributing to the 27th annual Pet Rock Festival should contact petrockfest@gmail.com for more information.
For updates on the plans for the event, groups signed up to attend, and other official or not so official news, visit petrockfest.org or check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/petrockfest, on X (formerly Twitter) @Petrockfestival and Instagram @petrockfest.
About Pet Rock Fest
Celebrating more than 25 years, Pet Rock Fest is the largest animal welfare festival in the Northeast. Held annually in the fall, it features guest speakers, vegetarian food, live music, games, a raffle, vendors, and participation from hundreds of animal welfare organizations. Beyond its flagship festival, Pet Rock Fest is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to raising funds year-round for animal welfare nonprofits and causes across New England. Donations to Pet Rock Fest are tax-deductible and directly support efforts to improve the lives of animals in need.
If you’d like more information, visit www.petrockfest.org.
Short, calendar entry below for listings:
What: Pet Rock Fest 2025
When: Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: Lancaster Fairgrounds (Home of the Bolton Fair), 318-7 Bridge Road, Lancaster, MA
Cost: $15 adults, $5 kids 12 and under
Short Description: The 27th annual Pet Rock Festival continues to put the spotlight on the animal welfare organizations of New England that work hard to promote kindness to animals. Pet Rock Fest features live music, performances and games for kids, author signings, Pups in the Air Frisbee Dog Team, photos of your pets, animal mascots, vegetarian food court, games for kids, contests for dogs, a cat photo contest, doggie massages, a doggie water park, demonstrations, exhibits, vendors and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to animal welfare causes.
Pet Rock Fest gives its proceeds to worthy animal related charities that support a variety of causes, from shelters to law reform to farm animal sanctuaries.
