Pet Rock Fest seeks new home for its event in September — suggestions welcome
The organizers of the annual Pet Rock Fest have announced that they are looking for a new location for the event, which is usually held on the Sunday following Labor Day weekend.
On its website, Pet Rock Fest Inc. states that "much like that doggie or kitty at the shelter, we are looking for a new home." A similar message is conveyed in a newsletter emailed to followers at the end of February.
Last year the festival took place Sept. 10 at the Scandinavian Athletic Club Park in Shrewsbury.
Pet Rock Fest Inc. was founded in 1999 as an animal welfare nonprofit and event, and organizers say it is now the largest animal festival in New England and a leading animal welfare organization. The co-founding partners since the beginning have been Charlene Arsenault and Jeannie Hebert.
The festival features live music, vegetarian food, games, children's activities, pet-themed events, vendors and animal-welfare organizations. The musical headliner in 2023 was Ricky Duran. Proceeds are distributed to Massachusetts-based groups, including shelters, cruelty watchdogs and rescue leagues.
However, the festival has had difficulties finding a permanent home. Starting with Hebert Candy Mansion Mansion in Shrewsbury for several years until traffic problems led to the need to relocate, the festival has been held at venues including the Sturbridge Host Hotel, the former Becker College in Leicester, Quinsigamond Community College in Worcester, and Wyman-Gordon fields in Grafton. Pet Rock Fest went online during the pandemic in 2020 and also was virtual in 2022 after Wyman-Gordon in Grafton, where the festival had been held for several years, sold the field where the festival took place. Last year it was at SAC Park for the first time and there were hopes it could be Pet Rock Fest's forever home.
"We’re in search of a new permanent location and we’re hoping you can help. What we are hoping to achieve in reaching out to you is some insight into ideas of venues in your town or surrounding areas that may be able to accommodate our next festival in September 2024," the Pet Rock Fest web site states.
"We have hosted our annual festival in a select few venues, and through no fault of our own, are searching again," the web site states. The relationships at the places the festival has taken place " have been wonderful, and we’d be happy to connect you with representatives from the venues for references," organizers state.
"We are a well-oiled machine, and Pet Rock Fest organizers professionally coordinate, set up, and break down the event with the utmost respect and consideration for the venue and its owners," the website statement continues.
"Not only would the collaboration be beneficial to us, but is a positive alliance for the town and/or venue that ultimately hosts us. Our reputation is stellar, and we’ve helped hundreds of charities with thousands of dollars since we started."
Asked on Friday if there have been any new developments since the web site and newsletter announcements, Arsenault said, "Nothing concrete. We're hoping on something to come through ... but await an answer with our fingers crossed."
For more information, visit PetRockFest.org. Contact organizers at petrockfest@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Pet Rock Fest seeks new home for its event in September
