“The Voice” Star Billy Gilman Headlines Pet Rock Fest 2021-Brought to You By T-Mobile

(Grafton, MA - July 19, 2021) -- Pet Rock Fest and Entertainment Sponsor T-Mobile are pleased to announce that platinum recording artist and “The Voice” finalist Billy Gilman headlines this year’s musical lineup at the annual Pet Rock Festival.

Gilman burst onto the national stage in 2000 with the release of his hit single “One Voice” and his debut album certified double platinum in the United States. He also holds the distinction of being included in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the youngest singer to ever reach number one on the Billboard Top Country Album charts.

“We couldn’t be happier that Gilman was able and willing to headline our festival this year,” says Pet Rock Fest Founding Partner Charlene Arsenault. “We were looking for a well-known artist whose music is appealing to all ages, but is particularly popular with the younger generation right now. He fits the bill to a T.”

At 28, Gilman has sold five million albums worldwide and garnered awards and nods from the Academy of Country Music, Billboard Magazine, the American Music Association and the Country Music Association.

“It took me a good while to figure out exactly who I was, musically speaking,” he said in a statement. “As a little kid, sometimes I was just told what to sing. But now I have enjoyed coming into my own and discovering what it really is that I want to sing. And I think that my fans will be pleasantly surprised with what they hear.”

Gilman became an instant fan favorite as the weeks went by on The Voice, his soaring vocals and amazing song choices earning him a spot in the finale of Season 11. Coach Adam Levine of Maroon 5 remarked, “You can emote so well. You can draw people in so easily.”

Jeannie Hebert, Pet Rock Fest founding partner, adds, “We are so thrilled to be able to present Pet Rock Fest in person this year! Billy Gilman is a major talent and will attract his followers from the Voice to support our efforts to help animals in need, which is what the festival is all about.”

The 23rd annual Pet Rock Festival gallops its way back to Wyman-Gordon, 244 Worcester St., in North Grafton on Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon to 5 p.m.

Pet Rock Fest continues to put the spotlight on the animal welfare organizations of New England that work hard to promote kindness to animals.

The event ha all of our popular attractions and more, including: K9 demos; an agility course hosted by CMDART; the Pups In The Air disc dog team; live music; the Rescue Groups and Shelters Pet Parade; kids activities, cat photo contest; book signings, annual Pet Rock Hero award; speakers; amateur dog contest; vegetarian food court; animal mascots, doggie massages, demonstrations, free and low-cost microchipping and rabies shots from VCA; a doggie water park; photos of your pets; animal-friendly vendors; and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to a huge range of animal welfare causes.

Supporting acts for Gilman include the Rafters and Ric Porter and the Roadhouse Gypsies, with more to be announced.

“T-Mobile is honored and excited to be the Entertainment Sponsor for the Pet Rock Festival, and thrilled to be announcing headlining act Billy Gilman,” said Amanda Kinney, regional marketing manager, T-Mobile. “At T-Mobile, we strive to support our communities and highlight organizations and businesses that are out there making the world a better place. The Pet Rock Festival gives so many groups the opportunity to share their mission and we are so happy to be a part of it all!”

Local nonprofit VegFest continues to partner with Pet Rock Fest to host its food court, packed with offerings from amazing vegan restaurants and food vendors. Originally called VegWorcester, VegFest hosts New England Vegfest, a free annual festival that celebrates animal-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and healthy lifestyles. This nonprofit dedicated to animal lovers was an easy fit to complement the mission of the Pet Rock Festival.

Anyone interested in volunteering for, performing at, or taking part in the festival in any way (including vendors and sponsors) should contact petrockfest@gmail.com.

For updates on the plans for the day, 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 and on Twitter @Petrockfestival.

About T-Mobile

T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond. Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit: https://www.t-mobile.com.

Celebrating more than 22 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 September 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.

We're Holding Out For Our Pet Rock Fest Heroes: Nominate One Now

Pet Rock Fest is welcoming (and encouraging) nominations for its annual hero awards for Pet Rock 2021.

Let us know about someone or who has worked tirelessly for the protection and welfare of animals, or someone who has performed an act of pure kindness to save or protect animals. There are all kinds, and each year, Pet Rock Fest acknowledges these wonderful people with a Pet Rock Hero Award.

If you would like to nominate an animal who has performed a heroic act this past year, let us know about that, too.

We'll choose two people heroes and one animal hero each to be awarded the Pet Rock Fest 2021 Animal Hero Award with a presentation at Pet Rock Fest 2021 on Sunday, Sept.12, at Wyman-Gordon in Grafton.

Past recipients have included police officers, rescue group leaders and fire departments, as well as individuals who simply took it upon themselves to follow through with an act of kindness to help an animal, or many animals.

Send your nominations to petrockfest@gmail.com with "2021 Hero Nomination" in the subject heading. Please include a description as to why this person (or animal) should be named at Pet Rock Fest Hero.

Pet Rock Donates Proceeds From 2020 Festival to Animal Welfare Charities

February, 2021 - It may have been virtual, but Pet Rock Fest continued in 2020 with its 22nd annual festival, and was able to raise funds for deserving animal welfare charities throughout New England. Once again, the nonprofit animal welfare organization has awarded donations to several animal welfare charities.

While unable to award as substantial an amount as previous years, with proceeds from its 2020 festival, Pet Rock Fest presented donations to several organizations.

Among those awarded donations were Worcester Animal Rescue League, Boston Vegetarian Society, CMDART, MSPCA, KIND News/RedRover, Unity Farm Sanctuary, Merrimack River Feline Sanctuary and Dog Orphans, with more to be named throughout the year.

“We’re incredibly pleased that we were at least able to continue with a version of the festival this past year,” said Founding Partner Charlene Arsenault. “Was it ideal? No, but everyone made and is making sacrifices, with events such as this having to take a different approach. Pet Rock Fest continues its mission of educating people about animal welfare issues and promoting kindness, but had to do this virtually. It worked. We had lots of support, from vendors to sponsors to the many animal welfare organizations who normally attend our fest.”

Founding Partner Jeannie Hebert adds, “It has been a challenging year for man and beast, to coin a phrase!” says Pet Rock Partner, Jeannie Hebert. “Going virtual with the Pet Rock Fest was necessary, and we made the best of it. We were not able to raise the funds we normally do, but glad we were able to share with those selfless organizations that our animal friends rely upon. I would like to remind you that giving goes on all year. Please visit www.petrockfest.org to donate and continue the love and support.”

Members of the Pet Rock Fest team choose the beneficiaries after researching the work and reputation, as well as the impact on the welfare of animals in the New England area, of the ultimately-chosen organizations. We’re fortunate that the New England area has so many animal welfare organizations, rescues and shelters doing this outstanding work. Pet Rock Fest gives its proceeds to worthy animal related charities that support a variety of causes, from shelters to law reform to sanctuaries for farm animals.

Pet Rock Fest has also supported several reward funds in local animal cruelty cases that aid in finding perpetrators of that cruelty, and has also paid for medical bills for pet guardians who were unable to afford it.

The 23rd annual Pet Rock Festival is planned for Sunday, Sept. 12, from noon to 5 p.m. at Wyman Gordon in North Grafton.

Celebrating more than 20 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 September 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.

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