Wag your tail: Pet Rock is returning to Grafton

The 23rd annual Pet Rock Festival is hoofing its way back to Wyman-Gordon on Sunday, Sept. 12, brought to you by SafeRoadsAlliance, Pet Supplies Plus, Atelier and entertainment sponsor T-Mobile. 

Due to the pandemic that shut down the world in 2020, Pet Rock Fest was last held as a virtual event. But like a stuffed animal compared to a real dog, nothing beats the real thing.

For the fourth year, this annual event will be held from noon to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Wyman-Gordon plant, 244 Worcester St., North Grafton.

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

Attractions include: 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 animal welfare organizations; and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to animal welfare causes. All animals.

“The Pups In The Air disc dog freestylers are so excited to be performing for real at Pet Rock in 2021!” says Barb Black, Pups in the Air/New England Disc Doggers performer and director. “We have loved being a part of this outstanding event annually — since the days when it was held at Quinsigamond Community College. The high-flying K-9s and their trainers have had more than a year to work on some very cool new moves, and can’t wait to entertain the crowds who always show up to support this outstanding event benefiting animal welfare charities.”

This year’s musical lineup is headlined by “The Voice” superstar Billy Gilman, with supporting acts Ric Porter and the Roadside Gypsies and more to be named. 

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. 

The complete festival lineup can be found here. The nonprofit gives its proceeds to worthy animal related charities that support a variety of causes, from shelters to law reform to farm animal sanctuaries.

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.

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