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NEWS

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PET ROCK FESTIVAL


Press Release


November, 2024


Contact: Charlene Arsenault              RELEASE UPON RECEIPT

508-832-8918, 508-736-77078


Jeannie Hebert

508-981-5782



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


The 27th Annual Pet Rock Festival Returns to Lancaster Fairgrounds on Oct. 5, 2025





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.


Celebrating more than 25 years, Pet Rock Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast, an annual festival that promotes kindness to animals and responsible pet ownership. Pet Rock Fest, held in the fall each year, is a family festival that features guest speakers, vegetarian food, live music, games, events, a raffle, vendors, and hundreds of area animal welfare organizations. Pet Rock is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible.


If you’d like more information, visit www.petrockfest.org.


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LANCASTER, MA—On Oct. 6, 2024, the 26th annual Pet Rock Festival officially established its new home at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, and the day was nothing short of perfect (or pretty darned close). Clear skies, crisp autumn air, and an electric energy set the stage for a day filled with animal advocacy, fun, live music, and community.


The Lancaster Fairgrounds, “home of the Bolton Fair,” is a sprawling and picturesque location, ideally enveloping the package Pet Rock Fest wants to deliver. It provides ample space for all our vendors, animal welfare organizations, and attendees to enjoy. The grounds featured grassy open areas, a pond (which became a favorite for dogs), shaded picnic areas, and multiple pavilions. Its size and layout were ideal for accommodating the diverse activities that Pet Rock Festival offers—from K9 demos to the annual Pet Parade. 


As always, the festival brought together a wide range of activities and attractions, each focused on promoting kindness to animals. K9 demonstrations, the Fursuiters, author signings, speakers, dog contests, animal hero awards, and interactive activities by CMDART and the American Red Cross were just a few highlights of the day. The disc dog team, Pups in the Air, had the crowd cheering as dogs soared through the air, catching frisbees with impressive precision.


The live music lineup kept the energy high, with performances from local favorites like Office Party Band, Petty Larceny (yes, the Pet Rock pun was real!), Vivi and Da Funk, and the headliner, Ricky Duran. Each band brought their own flair, and the crowd was loving every minute of it. As always, music is a huge part of the festival, and this year’s artists didn’t disappoint.


At the heart of the Pet Rock Festival is our mission to raise awareness for animal welfare, and this year, hundreds of animal organizations and nonprofits participated. From rescues and shelters to advocacy groups, the festival was filled with dedicated organizations working hard to make a difference for animals. The Rescue Groups and Shelters Pet Parade was a heartwarming showcase of the work being done to save and protect animals.

Thanks to all who attended, the festival not only spread awareness but also raised substantial funds to support the animal welfare causes we care so deeply about. With the help of our sponsors, including our Festival Sponsor MA Homes, LLC, and all the vendors and donors, we are making strides to continue this important work. 


Congratulations to No Mutts Left Behind and Animal Assisted Therapy Services, who tied to win the shelter and rescue group pet parade. And more congrats to Pug Rescue of New England and Company 2 Heroes, this year’s winners of the Pet Rock Fest lottery. These organizations received $500 each from Pet Rock Fest. Margie Ferriera was happy to win the 50/50 raffle, receiving a check for $315 from Pet Rock Fest. 


After this year’s success, we are thrilled to announce that the Lancaster Fairgrounds is officially the new home for the Pet Rock Festival, to be held on Sunday, Oct. 5, from noon to 5 p.m. Its size, accessibility, and beautiful setting are a perfect match for our needs. We’re already looking forward to next year and are confident that Pet Rock Fest will continue to grow and thrive in this amazing venue.


A huge thank you goes out to every single person who helped make the 26th annual Pet Rock Festival a day to remember. Whether you volunteered, performed, exhibited, donated, or simply came out to enjoy the day with your pets, your participation is what makes this festival so special.


Thank you for supporting Pet Rock Festival throughout the year (we raise funds for animals all year long!) and for making a positive impact on animals everywhere! We can't wait to see you again.


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.


Celebrating more than 25 years, Pet Rock Fest is the largest event of its kind in the Northeast, an annual festival that promotes kindness to animals and responsible pet ownership. Pet Rock Fest, held in the fall each year, is a family festival that features guest speakers, vegetarian food, live music, games, events, a raffle, vendors, and hundreds of area animal welfare organizations. Pet Rock is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible.


If you’d like more information, visit www.petrockfest.org.


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At the 26th annual Pet Rock Fest, held on Oct. 6, as always, we honored outstanding contributors to animal welfare, shining a bright light on their names and work to make this world a better place for animals.


The Animal Hero Award, which will now be known as the “Animal Hero Juno Award,” pays tribute to Juno Young of Juno’s Place for her lifelong advocacy. JoAnn Griffin, CMDART leader, received recognition for more than 20 years of volunteerism. VCA Animal Hospitals of Central MA were celebrated for their 26 years of steadfast support, providing vital services such as rabies clinics and microchipping at Pet Rock Fest since its inception.


These honorees embody the spirit of kindness and dedication to animals.



Animal Hero Award


In Loving Memory of Juno Young, the tiny but fierce advocate who became a symbol of animal welfare in New England


This year, we honor and remember a true animal hero—Juno Young. A driving force behind Juno’s Place, Juno dedicated her life to supporting rescues and shelters, advocating for stronger animal cruelty laws, and promoting the importance of spaying, neutering, and adoption. She stood resolute, particularly after the Puppy Doe case—a tragedy that shocked the nation—and used her platform to inspire change. But Juno’s heart wasn’t just for animals. She also touched countless lives by supporting local schools, providing food and supplies to children in need.


Juno was not only a beloved companion but also a therapy dog and a Paws to Read dog with Paws for Friendship. She would prance into senior centers and hospitals, lifting spirits with her presence, and into libraries, where children’s self-confidence blossomed as they read to her. With over 250,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Juno became a social media sensation, sharing her adventures with fans worldwide. 


Despite her tiny size, she lived a life larger than most, even rubbing paw-to-shoulder with celebrities who shared her mission. At just five pounds, Juno ruled her household with an iron paw. Whether it was a Pitbull or a Malinois, they all knew they had met their match. Juno’s motto was simple but profound: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”


For more than 14 years, Juno worked side by side with her human, Deb Young, at Standard Auto Wrecking Co., earning a reputation for perfect attendance and spreading joy to everyone she met. Her courage, even in the face of chronic illness, was unmatched. She passed away on Dec. 20, 2023, surrounded by family and friends, after bravely battling intervertebral disc disease, renal disease, and progressive myelopathy.


Though Juno’s physical presence is no longer with us, Juno’s Place continues to spread the message without its tiny but mighty leader at the helm. Her legacy as an animal ambassador and tireless advocate for Pet Rock Fest continues to inspire. In recognition of her unwavering dedication and spirit, we not only honor her today but will continue to do so by naming all future Animal Hero Awards in her honor—the “Juno Award.”


Thank you, Juno, for showing us the true meaning of heroism. Your mission lives on, inspiring us all to be advocates, protectors, and friends to our fellow creatures. We miss you, little Juno, but your legacy remains eternal.



JoAnn Griffin: A Champion of Animal Welfare

Recognition for her volunteerism, loyalty and support for more than 20 years


For more than two decades, JoAnn Griffin has selflessly dedicated her time, energy, and expertise to improving the lives of animals and supporting her community. As a licensed clinical social worker and the volunteer president, team Director, team Lead, and primary advocate for the Central Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Team (CMDART), JoAnn’s commitment to animal welfare is unmatched. CMDART, known for its motto ”Where Kindness Helps All Kinds” trains volunteers to rescue and care for animals during disaster situations. JoAnn has been instrumental in ensuring that animals are not left behind in times of crisis.


In addition to her work with CMDART, JoAnn has been a tireless supporter of the Pet Rock Fest for more than 20 years, educating the public on dog training and disaster preparedness. Each year, she leads CMDART’s efforts at the festival, demonstrating agility courses and spreading awareness about the team’s vital mission.


CMDART, Inc., under JoAnn’s leadership, played a critical role in preparing communities for emergencies that involve pets and animals. Since the devastation of Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina, the need for trained animal disaster responders has grown. Even now, as JoAnn steps back a bit in her role, CMDART ensures that volunteers are equipped to handle chaotic and traumatic situations with skill, structure, and compassion.


JoAnn embodies the true spirit of volunteerism. When asked who a volunteer is, she simply states, “Volunteers are people like you who care about pets and their community and are concerned about being prepared for emergencies. Our volunteers come from all walks of life, with varying expertise, but what unites us is our love for animals and our commitment to their safety. “


JoAnn’s dedication extends beyond her professional and volunteer roles. She resides in Douglas, MA, with her beloved husband, affectionately known as Griff; and her loyal canine companions, Duff and Summer. Her unwavering compassion and willingness to go the extra mile for animals and her community have made a lasting impact on countless lives.


This year, we honor JoAnn Griffin for her extraordinary contributions over the years to Pet Rock Fest. Her work epitomizes our mission of the importance of kindness, service, and the vital role that volunteers play in making the world a better place.



Veterinary Clinics of America (VCA)

26 years of continuous support to Pet Rock Fest


Twenty-six years ago, Pet Rock Fest was born out of a mission to promote kindness to animals, educate the public on responsible pet care, and emphasize the value of companion animals. The spark for this event came from a heartbreaking case of animal cruelty involving a Yorkshire Terrier, a case in which justice was sadly denied. 


Determined to make a difference, Charlene Arsenault and Jeannie Hebert created and launched Pet Rock Fest, with the inaugural event held at Jeannie’s family business, The Hebert Candy Mansion in Shrewsbury.


Right from the start, Jeannie turned to a trusted friend and veterinarian, Dr. Laurie Klein, director of VCA Westboro Animal Hospital. Dr. Klein did not hesitate to offer her full support. She and her dedicated team conducted the first-ever free rabies clinic and microchipping service at the inaugural Pet Rock Fest, creating a foundation for what would become a cherished tradition.


Though Pet Rock Fest has moved locations over the years, and Dr. Klein has since retired, the unwavering support of VCA Animal Hospitals has remained a constant. For more than two decades, VCA has continued to conduct rabies clinics, offer microchipping, and provide valuable “Ask the Vet” advice at each annual Pet Rock Fest.


As we celebrate the 26th year of this incredible event, we want to express our deepest gratitude to VCA Animal Hospitals of Central MA. VCA's dedication, compassion, and steadfast participation has played a vital role in the success of Pet Rock Fest. Because of the wonderful staff at VCA, we are able to continue our mission to promote kindness and improve the lives of animals. 




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ABOUT US >

Pet Rock Fest is not only a huge animal event, but a year-round endeavor to educate, promote and communicate with people the importance of treating animals with kindness. Our Web site, www.petrockfest.org, has become a general meeting place for concerned animal lovers to unite and share information and thoughts. On this site, we post animal news, link to important animal related sites, update you on our upcoming festival and most importantly, provide a forum for folks to chat. Please visit our site and communicate with us, and others, often. Get involved. Learn more. And remember, they can’t talk, so we will.

CONTACT >

Charlene Arsenault
petrockfest@gmail.com 
508-832-8918 or 508-736-7708

 

Jeannie Hebert
jhebert@blackstonevalley.org
508-981-5782

© 2021 Pet Rock Festival

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