2025 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.: The Dirty Genes

1:15 p.m. The Black Souls

2:15 p.m. Decades by Dezyne (HEADLINER)

3:15 p.m. Solmere

Stage Two (The Animal Action Stage)

Schedule subject to change

12:30 p.m. Annual Pet Rock Festival "Juno" Hero Awards presentation to Raptor Tales and others TBA

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 (SIGN UP AT THE MAIN INFO TENT)

Prizes include medals, trophies and prize bags stuffed with prizes from sponsors Maggie's Food for Pets, L & B's Sweets and Treats, Woofie's of Northborough

2 p.m. Best Senior Dog
2:15 p.m. Owner-Dog Lookalike
2:30 p.m. Waggiest Tail
2:45 p.m. Most Unique Look
3 p.m. Sweetest Face

3:30 p.m. Featured speakers including Senator Michael Moore

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, at the INFO TENT. This popular contest is judged by representatives from Ellie's Pet Barn. First, second and third place winners receive gift cards from Ellie's Pet Barn, a trophy, prizes from various supporting sponsors, and a burst of local fame!

Buy your official Pet Rock T-shirt, hat, bandana 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. This food court, which is in addition to our standard vendors that serve fried dough, fries, pizza and fried Oreos (yup, we've got those this year), includes, for the first time, the popular Tandoor and Curry Food Truck from Boston.

We've got DRINKS! Oh boy, do we have beverages this year, including those with alcohol. First of all, major sponsor (for the second year in a row) Tito's Handmade Vodka has Tito's PUPTAILS for sale.

And, in addition to water and soda and TITO'S PUPTAILS, JJ's Drink Shack 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

SPLISH-SPLASH, THE DOG'S TAKIN' A BATH Let your pooch cool off in the Doggie Water Park, which includes pools, sprinklers and other water fun

Fan faves Pups in the Air Frisbee dog performances throughout the day. This is easily one of the highlights of the day and has been delighting crowds for years. These pups LEAP!

Mass Vest-Dog K-9 demos, led by Littleton K-9 Officer Brian Casey and K-9 Milo, take place at 1 and 3 p.m. Officer Casey has been with the Littleton PD since 2008. His first K-9 was Vojak and worked for nine years, now enjoying retirement with the Casey family. K-9 Milo is a four-year-old dual purpose German Shepherd, certified in patrol and narcotics detection. K-9 Milo and Officer Casey were certified by NAPWDA USPCA and Boston Police K-9 Academy. Officer Casey also serves on the board of MA Vest-a-Dog.

Meet Blue the Owl — Raptor Tales Rescue

Keep your eyes to the skies — or at least around the fairgrounds! Blue, a non-releasable barred owl and educational ambassador for Raptor Tales Rescue of Shrewsbury, will make a special appearance at Pet Rock Fest from noon to 3 p.m. Rather than staying put at a booth, Blue and a Raptor Tales representative will be out and about around the festival, giving Pet Rockers an up-close look at one of New England’s magnificent native birds of prey.

Raptor Tales Rescue specializes in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife, with particular expertise in birds of prey. A representative will be on hand to answer questions about Blue, raptors, wildlife rehabilitation and what to do when you encounter wildlife in need. Raptor Tales Rescue is also one of this year’s Pet Rock Fest Juno Hero Award recipients, recognized for its extraordinary commitment to giving injured wildlife a second chance at life in the wild. Look for Blue around the festival between noon and 3 p.m.!

Diego’s Friends Farm Sanctuary is bringing Misty the mare, Pumpkin Spice the Juliana mini pig, and Trooper the farm dog to Pet Rock Fest, giving visitors a chance to meet them up close while learning about the intelligence and care needs of livestock animals. The sanctuary will share resources on animal nutrition, enrichment, zoning laws, and what to know before bringing home chickens, goats, sheep, pigs, or horses. In partnership with Empowered Equines, they’ll also spotlight positive reinforcement training for horses and other animals, and provide information on large animal rescue, MSPCA emergency training, and who to call in an emergency.

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

JUNO'S PLACE returns to Pet Rock Fest! While sadly we lost Juno in 2023, 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!

Goat & Bunny Yoga

Stretch, breathe and prepare to have your downward dog interrupted by a goat — or possibly a bunny. Beyond Yoga & Wellness is switching things up at Pet Rock Fest this year with Goat & Bunny Yoga, presented in partnership with Ivy Hill Farm, a Sterling nonprofit dedicated to community wellness and animal-assisted therapy.

The all-levels, 45-minute slow vinyasa session runs from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. and pairs an outdoor yoga practice with rescued goats and bunnies who will frolic, cuddle and generally do their best to steal the show. Most of Ivy Hill Farm's animals are rescues, and all have found permanent homes at the farm. The session is open to all ages and costs $18, with mats available to rent for $2. Come for a little relaxation, harmony and animal-assisted joy — and give some very deserving rescued animals plenty of love along the way.

Advance registration is recommended: Reserve your spot with Beyond Yoga & Wellness

VCA Hospitals answer questions regarding your pets wellness care through our “Ask the Vet” sessions.

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

BRING THE KIDS TO BUDDY UP! This year, children ages 3 and up can have their own reading buddy dog thanks to Bright Spot Therapy Dogs, RedRover's Kind News Magazine, and TidePool BookShop. Visit the Reading Buddy tent behind these groups for a quiet, comfy spot for your child to pull out some dog-gone good reads with a special pup! 12-2; first come, first serve for 15 minute slots. Later times may be available, so come on by to check, and get your free Kind News magazine!

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*

Meet the animals of The Refuge at Lyric Farm

The Refuge at Lyric Farm Animal Sanctuary returns to Pet Rock Fest this year with some familiar — and very popular — faces: Crystal the alpaca, Merry Berry the sheep and Cosmo the goat. Stop by to meet these crowd-favorite ambassadors and learn about The Refuge’s work providing a safe home for animals with unique needs. You can also sign up for Updates from the Farm, featuring news, upcoming happenings and stories about rescued residents, or Remi’s Ruminations, written by a precocious, FOMO-afflicted goat who has appointed himself the barnyard reporter. About once a month, Remi “borrows” someone’s phone to report on the things that matter most to him and his barnyard friends. But mostly him. Located in Uxbridge, The Refuge at Lyric Farm is an animal sanctuary where animals with unique needs find safety — and where people of all ages can connect with them through care, curiosity and kindness.

Lacey's Lunchbox is collecting pet food donations at this year's Pet Rock Fest. A "take what you need, leave what you can" pet food pantry with three locations (and growing), the organization is aimed at supporting pet owners in times of financial need. Lacey's provides free and accessible pet food through community-driven pantries and collections (today being one of those!), ensuring that no pet goes hungry. The project is in loving memory of Lacey, a service dog who was taken far too soon by cancer. Donations of unopened and unexpired dog and cat food will be graciously accepted at their booth.

WCRN broadcasts live from the fest!

Kids and adults, get your face painted and enjoy balloon animals with Polka Dottie the Clown!

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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