27th Annual Pet Rock Festival returns to Lancaster Fairgrounds – Sentinel and Enterprise

27th Annual Pet Rock Festival returns to…

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Local News

27th Annual Pet Rock Festival returns to Lancaster Fairgrounds

Large animal welfare festival set for Oct. 5 with “American Idol” winner David Cook headliningShare this:
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Many attended 2024 Pet Rock Festival, held at the Lancaster Fairgrounds for the first time. The Fairgrounds is new location for the annual fall festival that fundraises for animal advocacy. The 2025 Pet Rock Fest is scheduled for the local fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (PET ROCK FEST)

By Submitted ArticlePUBLISHED: September 21, 2025 at 3:29 AM EDTLANCASTER — Pet Rock Fest, Inc. is thrilled to announce the 27th annual Pet Rock Festival, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lancaster Fairgrounds, sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka, MA Homes and Castinetti Realty. Following a successful inaugural year at this spacious, animal-friendly venue (pond, shade, grass!), the festival is excited to return — and this year, the music is hitting a high note.
Headlining the live entertainment is David Cook, winner of Season 7 of “American Idol”, best known for his soulful rock voice, platinum-selling hits, and energetic performances. Since his 2008 win, Cook has sold over 2 million albums and 5 million tracks worldwide, performed on Broadway in Kinky Boots, and raised more than $1.5 million for brain cancer research in honor of his late brother. His appearance adds a national star power to Pet Rock Fest’s already vibrant tradition of music, community, and advocacy for animals. Also taking the stage are Eldon James and the One Eyed Cat, P.E. James, and The Wray-Ons, rounding out a music lineup that will keep the festival energy high all afternoon.
David Cook, winner of Season 7 of “American Idol” will be performing at Pet Rock Fest on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025. (PET ROCK FEST)
But at the heart of the day is the message of kindness to all animals.
“After years of searching for the right location, we’re thrilled to bring Pet Rock back to Lancaster,” said Charlene Arsenault, Pet Rock Fest founding partner. “And now, adding David Cook to our stage — along with some of the region’s best local acts — makes this year’s event one of our most exciting yet. Music has always been part of Pet Rock, and this lineup continues the tradition of pairing incredible performances with our real headliners: the animals we’re here to help. But the real meaning of this event is to deliver knowledge and awareness about animal welfare, all wrapped in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.” function dfm_stn_player_script_id_sad7cvdo( getS2NApiForPlayer ) {
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Pet Rock Fest is New England’s largest event dedicated to animal welfare, featuring live music, interactive activities, and more than 100 animal welfare organizations. As with past years, this year’s festival features the Rescue Groups and Shelters Pet Parade, engaging K9 demos, the “Pups in the Air” disc dog team, a food court curated by VegFest, pet photo contests, the ever-popular amateur dog contest, giveaways, vendors, guest appearances, speakers and more.
This year’s event again includes those beloved features — plus live performances throughout the day, interactive exhibits by CMDART and the American Red Cross, animal-friendly vendors, kids’ activities, and the much-loved Pet Rock Hero Awards, now dubbed the Juno Award. The Lancaster Fairgrounds, known as the “home of the Bolton Fair,” offers ample grassy spaces, shaded picnic areas, pavilions, barns, and even a dog-friendly pond — perfect for a day of pet-centered fun, music, and community.
The Pet Rock Festival’s mission has always been to raise awareness and funds for animal welfare, and the Lancaster Fairgrounds allows for expansion in both programming and reach. This year, Pet Rock Fest again partners with local nonprofit VegFest for a vegan food court (there is also a vegetarian food court) and continues offering free and low-cost pet services, including microchipping and rabies vaccinations courtesy of VCA Hospitals.
“We’re grateful for the support from the Lancaster Fairgrounds and our sponsors, vendors, and volunteers who make Pet Rock Fest possible,” added Jeannie Hebert, Pet Rock Fest founding partner. “And with David Cook, our fantastic local acts, and everything else we have planned, it’s going to be our biggest celebration yet for the animals.”

Pet Rock Fest gives its proceeds to worthy animal-related charities that support a variety of causes, from shelters to law reform to farm animal sanctuaries. The registered nonprofit has given away more than a half a million dollars since its inception in 1999.
Pet Rock Fest encourages everyone passionate about animal welfare to participate, whether as attendees, volunteers, sponsors, or vendors. Those interested in contributing to the 27th annual Pet Rock Festival should contact [email protected] for more information.
For updates on the plans for the event, groups signed up to attend, music schedules, and other official or not-so-official news, visit petrockfest.org or check us out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/petrockfest, on X (formerly Twitter) @Petrockfestival, and Instagram @petrockfest.
Cost: $15 adults, $5 kids 12 and under

There are still a few spaces left if you’d like to attend Pet Rock Fest as a vendor, sponsor or nonprofit (no fee for nonprofits). But hurry up and email [email protected] today to snag a spot! If you’d like more information, visit www.petrockfest.org.
-Pet Rock Fest, Inc.

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