PET ROCK FESTIVAL
Press Release
September, 2024
Contact: Charlene Arsenault RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
508-832-8918, 508-736-77078
Jeannie Hebert
508-981-5782
Ricky Duran of “The Voice” Fame Headlines This Year’s Pet Rock Festival
New England’s biggest animal welfare festival returns to its new home in Lancaster, bigger and better than ever
LANCASTER, MA — A hometown favorite returns to Massachusetts to headline Pet Rock Fest 2024 on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Lancaster Fairgrounds in Lancaster (Home of the Bolton Fair!). Ricky Duran leads the musical lineup this year, which also includes performances by the Office Party Band, Petty Larceny and Vivi and DaFunk.
Duran garnered international attention with his soulful vocals, fiery guitar playing and compelling performances on NBC’s “The Voice.” The Season 17 Runner-Up has since released a full album, "Space & Time," which charted at No. 1 on iTunes. The 33-year-old Worcester native and graduate of Berklee School of Music is a versatile artist with powerful vocals and an electrifying stage presence that entertains crowds all over the country.
"I was really excited to be asked to headline The Pet Rock Festival this year,” says Duran. “All they do to help end animal cruelty and help in animal welfare is very honorable. I adopted my cat several years ago and I think of him like a child. I am a huge animal lover and supporter of Pet Rock Festival. I hope to see everyone there!"
The 26th Annual Pet Rock Festival, sponsored by MA Homes, LLC, is taking place on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Lancaster Fairgrounds in Lancaster, MA, from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 adults, $5 children under 12, available at the gate (Pet Rock Fest also accepts Venmo and Paypal payment for admission—a QR code will be available at the admissions gate).
That’s right, puppies and kittens. Organizers have secured and confirmed an amazing venue for the 26th annual festival–and this location will likely become our forever home.
“We’re not going to pretend this hasn’t been a struggle,” says Pet Rock Fest founding partner Charlene Arsenault. “We’re beyond excited to be back, and at an amazing new location. It made us wonder why we hadn’t locked in this venue sooner!”
Jeannie Hebert, Pet Rock Fest founding partner, adds, “We are so thrilled to have finally found the perfect home to continue the fun and fundraising for Pet Rock Fest. Lancaster Fairgrounds has welcomed us with open arms, and it couldn’t be a better site. Looking forward to seeing our human and furry friends on Oct. 6.”
Pet Rock Fest continues to put the spotlight on the animal welfare organizations of New England that work tirelessly to promote kindness to animals.
Located in the heart of Massachusetts close to several main arteries (including Routes 2 and 140), the venue is easily accessible from points east, west, north and south. Also, the venue offers an expansive, grassy, fenced-in event area, several pavilions, a barn, a pond, and hundreds of parking spaces right on the premises. It is ideal for both people and animals.
We’re back with all of our popular attractions and more-including: K9 demos; dog activities hosted by CMDART; the Fursuiters, a massive raffle, the Pups In The Air disc dog team; the Rescue Groups and Shelters Pet Parade; kids activities, cat photo contest; book signings, annual Pet Rock Hero awards; 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; animal welfare organizations; and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to animal welfare causes.
Local nonprofit VegFest New England 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 celebrating 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.
Pet Rock Fest updates its website with event schedules, attractions, vendors and sponsors. The nonprofit gives its proceeds to worthy animal-related charities that support various causes, from shelters to law reform to farm animal sanctuaries. Thus far, Pet Rock Fest has issued more than a half million dollars to these animal organizations.
Anyone interested in volunteering for 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 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 and on Twitter @Petrockfestival.
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 of 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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