Platinum-selling Artist Ryan Cabrera Headlines Pet Rock Festival

NORTH GRAFTON, MA—The 20th anniversary of the Pet Rock Festival, New England’s largest animal welfare music festival, takes place at Wyman-Gordon fields in North Grafton on Sept. 9, 2018.

Headlining the event is platinum-selling singer/songwriter Ryan Cabrera. Known for hits such as “On the Way Down,” “True” and “Shine On,” Cabrera is just coming off a tour promoting his fifth studio album. The first single “House on Fire” had fans and the media raving. People magazine wrote “Cabrera delivers his catchiest hooks since ‘On the Way Down’ with hitting #1 on the Billboard dance charts.

Opening for Cabrera is Javier Colon from Hartford, Connecticut. Having been introduced to millions of TV viewers as the winner on the inaugural season of NBC's The Voice, the singer-songwriter-guitarist is currently recording his fifth studio album after the critically acclaimed release of Gravity in 2016.

The event features all of the popular attractions, including live music, performances and games for kids, author signings, Pups in the Air Frisbee Dog Team, doggie massages, photos of your pets, animal mascots, vegetarian food court, games for kids, contests for dogs, a cat photo contest, doggie massages, a doggie water park, demonstrations, exhibits, vendors and, most importantly, hundreds of nonprofit groups devoted to animal welfare causes.

“We’ve had some amazing acts over the years, and always try to keep it fresh,” said Charlene Arsenault, founding partner of Pet Rock. “This year, we’re skewing a bit younger than previous years with our choice, but keeping it appealing to all generations. And, for the first time we have a double-bill for our headliners. Pet Rock has become much more than a music festival—it’s an annual event that brings animal welfare issues to the forefront and we could not be prouder to present this year to festival-goers old and new.”

“This anniversary brings together many of our partners and supporters who have been with us since day one,” said Jeannie Hebert, founding partner of Pet Rock Fest, “and we welcome a new generation of those who realize how much animals enrich our lives and that a higher level of human intelligence treat their animals with love and respect.

The annual event is Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, from noon to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Wyman-Gordon plant, 244 Worcester St., North Grafton. For more information visit www.petrockfest.org. Tickets are $12 for adults, $5 at the door. A $2 off coupon is available throughout the summer season around the community in various locations, as well as online.

Sponsors include HEARD Strategy & Storytelling, Cantiani Insurance Agency, Boulevard Pharmaceutical Compounding Center, Pet Supplies Plus and TD Bank.