2024 Events Schedule

Stage One (the Music Stage)

schedule subject to change

Emcee: Legendary media personality Peter “Zip” Zipfel

Noon: opening remarks – Founding partners Charlene Arsenault and Jeannie Hebert kick off the festival with an enthusiastic welcome to all

12:15 p.m.: Petty Larceny (for today, we'll call them PETty Larceny)

1:15 p.m. Office Party Band

2:15 p.m. Headliner Ricky Duran

3:15 p.m. Vivi and Da Funk

Stage Two (The Animal Action Stage)

Schedule subject to change

12:30 p.m. Annual Pet Rock Festival Hero and Recognition Awards presentation

1 p.m. Animal Shelter and Rescue Group Pet Parade

1:45 p.m. Blessing of the animals with Reverend Meghan Mantler from The Nativity Church in Northborough

2:00 p.m. Amateur Dog Show

Prizes include medals, trophies and prize bags stuffed with gift cards from Ellie's Pet Barn, treats from Maggie's Food for Pets, tickets to the Natural Living Expo courtesy of Spirit of Change Magazine, items from Big White Dog , Kong toys from Pet Supplies Plus Lunenberg and more

2 p.m. Best Ears
2:15 p.m. Owner-Dog Look Alike
2:30 p.m. Waggiest Tail
2:45 p.m. Best Vocalist
3 p.m. Sweetest Face

3:30 p.m. Featured speakers including MA State Senator Ryan Fattman

3:45 p.m.: Drawing for the two lottery winners (each nonprofit receiving $500 from Pet Rock)

AT THE INFORMATION/RAFFLE PAVILION

Cat Photo Contest sponsored by the Pet Barn, trophies and winners posted at the start of the festival, as this year, the contest is pre-judged by representatives from the Pet Barn. First, second and third place winners receive gift cards from Ellie's Pet Barn, a trophy and a burst of local fame

Buy your official Pet Rock T-shirt, hat or tank top and other Pet Rock items

Pick up information and pamphlets distributed by various animal organizations

The display of the Wall of Shame and Wall of Fame – check out the best and worst in animal news this year

Take part in the raffle, which is called in three rounds at the information tent (check times for announcements): see below for updated list of raffle prizes. Also, a 50/50 raffle!

MORE ONGOING ACTIVITIES

The Vegetarian Food Court is back, with the Vegan court again hosted by VegFest! This food court, which is in addition to our standard vendors that serve fried dough, fries, pizza and wraps, includes vendors such as Smokestack Roasters, Kristi's Kraftails, Vegan Pizzaland, Kay's Curries, Loving Hut, Boundless Bakery, Jennifer Lee's Bakery, Not Yo Mama's Vegan Cafe, Waves Dairy Free Ice Cream, Indulge India, Slater's Pizza, Tacos Y Burritos Panchita, Keifer's Kettle Korn, Jerry's Ice Cream and more to be named.

We've got DRINKS! Oh boy, do we have beverages this year, including those with alcohol. In addition to water and soda, JJ's Drink Shack sponsored by Atlas Beverages, offers these options:

Coors Light/Lite 16oz Alum
Corona Extra cans
Sun Cruiser Vodka & Tea cans
Truly Wildberry Hard Seltzer cans
White Claw Black Cherry Hard Seltzer cans
Wachusett Oktoberfest cans
Wachusett Pumpkin cans
Sam Adams Wicked Hazy cans
Heineken 0.0 cans

CMDART (the Central Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Team, Inc) in collaboration with the American Red Cross Central, will host a mission- focused, interactive fun activities focusing on pet care, pet and human first aid/cpr, along with human and animal disaster prevention activities...all of this weaved into a limited agility "try-its" course. This is s fun (d) raiser for the organizations so a donation of $8 will be requested at the entrance to the activity. All funds go directly into our mission activities. Barring an emergency call that day, The American Red Cross will host a demo of their Emergency Response Vehicle. CMDART will also have their Emergency Response Trailer there for viewing.

SPLISH-SPLASH, THE DOG'S TAKIN' A BATH Let your pooch cool off in the Doggie Water Park, which this year means a POND your pooch is more than welcome to jump into! You read that correctly - a POND.

Mass Vest-Dog K-9 demos: 1 and 3 p.m.

Let your pup run with THIS PUP RUNS

This Pup Runs is a Massachusetts-based mobile dog gym, run by a husband- and-wife team, offering a unique and convenient exercise solution for dogs of all sizes and energy levels. Their climate-controlled, state-of-the-art mobile unit is equipped with slatmill—non-motorized treadmill designed specifically for dogs—allowing them to exercise safely and efficiently. Whether your dog needs an outlet for their boundless energy, weight management, or a regular fitness routine to improve their overall well-being.

Jump Around! Several inflatables/Moonbounces for kids will be available

Fan faves Pups in the Air Frisbee dog performances throughout the day

Stitch roams the grounds, delighting kids and adults (and dogs) alike, as do the FURSUITERS, a whimsical group of furry animal mascots who delight the masses at fundraisers and charity events throughout New England

Trax from the Worcester Railers hockey team also walks the festival grounds handing out Railers trading cards to adoring fans, as well as poses for pics

JUNO'S PLACE returns to Pet Rock Fest! While sadly we lost Juno last year, the legacy for this ambassador for animal welfare known as “the little dog who does big things” continues. Juno's Place spreads awareness about various animal causes such as spay/neuter, working against breed specific legislation and promoting adoption. At Pet Rock Fest, Juno's pack includes Sweetpea Friends for Rutland Animals, Paws 4 a Cure, Mass Vest-A-Dog. And next door, visit the amazing Burt's Brigade!

Beyond Yoga and Wellness is hosting a "Peace with Piggies" photo booth. Get your pic with a peaceful piggie for a $5 donation. Also, Beyond Yoga gives demos throughout the day of its yoga with pigs program

VCA Hospitals answer questions regarding your pets wellness care through our “Ask the Vet” sessions. VCA also provides a free rabies clinic and low-cost microchipping, with all donations benefitting the Sterling Animal Shelter

TidePool BookShop hosts the Pet Rock Book Nook with authors signing copies and reading from their animal-themed books.

About this year's authors:

Susan Edwards Richmond is an award-winning children's author and an avid birder, naturalist, and nature preschool teacher. Her picture books include "Night Owl Night, "Bird Count" and "Bioblitz! Counting Critters," all in the Community Science Counts! series. Richmond said she is "thrilled to participate in her first Pet Rock Festival."
Dr. Karen Fine is a veterinarian and writer who lives in Central Massachusetts. Her memoir, "The Other Family Doctor: A Veterinarian Explores What Animals Can Teach Us About Love, Life and Mortality," was published in March 2023 by Penguin Random House, and became a New York Times bestseller. She is also the author of a veterinary textbook, "Narrative Medicine in Veterinary Practice: Improving Client Communication, Patient Care, and Veterinary Well-Being." Her articles and essays have been published in the New York Times, Time magazine, the Brevity blog, and Bark magazine, among others. She has been interviewed by NPR’s Fresh Air, CNN, and Psychology Today.
Maria Gianferrari writes both fiction and nonfiction picture books, many of which are inspired by the human-animal bond. She loves dogs in particular. Most of her fiction picture books star dogs as main characters and were inspired by her late, very beloved rescue dog, Becca. Gianferrari's nonfiction picture books, which include "Being a Dog," "Being a Cat" and "To Dogs With Love," focus on the natural world. She loves trees and birds and all kinds of wild creatures. She is fascinated by the subject of urban ecology, and the ways in which wild animals have adapted to life and co-existence with humans.

Animal Assisted Therapy Services conduct Canine Good Citizen tests. The AKC Canine Good Citizen test is regarded as the “gold standard” of dog obedience. In fact, some homeowners insurance companies will even offer a discount if the family’s dog has passed the AKC CGC. The CGC test involves 10 test items; all ten must be passed to receive your AKC certificate. Please visit the AaTs MA booth (look for the therapy dogs!) to take the CGC test. Walk-ups welcome. Test cost is $25 donation to AaTs MA. *AKC Tricks, CGCA, CGCU only offered if time allows*

The Refuge at Lyric Farm makes its Pet Rock Fest debut, bring along Cosmo the goat, Merry Berry the sheep, Luna D’Estata the sheep, Crystal the alpaca, and one of the LGDs. The Refuge at Lyric Farm is a fiscally sponsored project under the 501c3 nonprofit Players Philanthropy Fund, and are now able to accept tax deductible donations.

The Refuge welcomes humans to interact with the Refuge's residents by volunteering to help feed and care for them, and to discover how enjoyable they can be. No experience required. Neurodiverse individuals welcome.

Big White Dog offers nailclippings for a donation. Just visit the booth!

KBK Sports hosts a silent auction of jaw dropping sports memorabilia. The silent auction is packed with autographs & collectibles from the Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins & Celtics with some other items from sports & entertainment greats! Auction will run at the festival from noon to 3 p.m. and auction winners will take items home that afternoon!

WCRN broadcasts live from the fest!

Kids and adults, get your face painted with the skilled facepainter Mandy!

Bobo the Clown spins up some whimsical balloon animals

Good Owners helps new and old adoptees start off stronger by learning how to understand, handle, raise, and care for their puppies or adult dogs! Founded in 2021 by trainers from around the country, their pioneering programs include the Good Owners Handbook - one of the largest, most comprehensive resources for dog owners ever created - and the RCOC, a 30-minute interactive educational program and certification for new and experienced owners alike. Check them out at www.goodowners.dog

ENTER the Pet Rock Fest raffle, with tons of prizes that range from gift cards, to gift baskets to professional artwork and tickets

Want to donate a prize? Sponsor? Be a vendor? Get involved? We would love that. Email petrockfest@gmail.com

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