It’s a day packed with activities – 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 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; and animal welfare organizations; and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to animal welfare causes. And not just dogs and cats. All animals.

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 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.

ADMISSION: $12 adults, $5 kids 12 and under. $2 off coupons for adult tickets will be readily available!

Pet Rock Fest will send updates 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.

Anyone interested in volunteering for, performing at, or participating in the festival in any way (including vendors and sponsors) should contact [email protected].

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.

Celebrating 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 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.