Good morning, Worcester.

Pet Rock Inc. announced its 28th annual festival will take place on Oct.

4 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Lancaster Fairgrounds featuring live music by headliner Decades by DeZyne & The Black Souls and various pet services that benefit animal welfare.

Worcester is set for four World Cup watch parties on the Common, featuring a June 13 double feature with two ambulances from UMass Memorial Health and two from Coastal Medical Transportation Systems ensuring safety—officials may extend alcohol hours and add staff if the License Commission approves.

Wonder, a growing food hall chain founded by tech billionaire Marc Lore, will open its first Worcester County location on 14 Park Ave in August in the former Boston Market building (3,500 sqft).

The eatery offers menus from 20 to 30 restaurants and had its license unanimously approved.

Alex Bartholomew was named CEO of Bartholomew & Co. after the firm announced a leadership change Thursday — his father Tom will remain lead advisor while Alex stays as chief investment officer to guide growth for the firm based in the Guaranty Building that manages nearly $6 billion in assets.

State lawmakers approved a sales tax holiday for the weekend of Aug.

8-9 that will exempt most purchases under $2,500 from the 6.25% tax (exclusions include vehicles, alcohol, and similar items). The move aims to help families save on back-to-school costs.

UMass Chan Medical School celebrated the graduation of 28 new faculty from its Junior Faculty Development Program on Tuesday, June 9.

Family & mentor support joined the ceremony as the graduates marked a year of professional growth.

Attorney Padraic Rafferty—currently a clerk-magistrate at the Uxbridge District Court—has been elected president-elect by the Worcester County Bar Association and will replace Kanchana Fernando as president in September 2027.

UMass Chan MD/PhD student Anna Aristarkhova received an NIH predoctoral fellowship to study how proteins may trigger neuroinflammation and visual loss in multiple sclerosis patients.

Her research in the Schafer lab aims to block these proteins and prevent damage to neural connections.

Cookie, a French bulldog rescued after abuse, needs corrective surgery for her breathing condition and a $6,700 fundraiser (led by her foster family) may help.

She will be renamed Caddie once the operation is complete.

First Bristol Corp. of Fall River will present its plan on June 24 to build a 105-room Hampton Inn hotel at 36 Washington Square (a vacant site near Union Station) that will include 88 parking spaces and be the city's second Hampton Inn location.

The Deloreans Concert at Firefly's BBQ

9-11 p.m. — Firefly's BBQ — $5 Cover — Enjoy a night of brass-kickin' Rock and Soul from the 70s and 80s with The Deloreans.

The 26th Miss Massachusetts Teen Competition

7-10 p.m. — The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts — $59 — Celebrate the talent and ambition of young women competing for the title of Miss Massachusetts’ Teen.

Massachusetts Cheese Festival 2026

10 AM - 4 PM — Stone Cow Brewery — VIP ticket available — Celebrate local cheese with tastings, music, and educational sessions.

Worcester Caribbean American Heritage Festival

12-7 p.m. — Institute Park — Free entry — Celebrate diverse cultures with music, food, and entertainment honoring Caribbean American Heritage Month.

Worcester Bravehearts vs. Norwich Sea Unicorns Baseball

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Fitton Field — Ticket prices vary — Catch the action as local teams battle it out on the diamond.

Toledo Mud Hens vs. Worcester Red Sox

6:45-7:45 p.m. — Polar Park — Tickets from $15 — Catch a thrilling baseball game between the Mud Hens and the Red Sox in Worcester.

Kittie Live Concert

6:30-8 p.m. — Palladium — Ticket prices vary — Experience the powerful sound of Kittie as they rock the stage with fan favorites and new songs.

Ash & Eric: ValleyCAST Free Summer Concert Series

5-9 p.m. — Open Sky Alternatives' Whitin Mill — Free entry — Enjoy a live performance by Ash & Eric, bringing gritty tunes from Worcester's heart.

Comedy Night with Tony V

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Samuel Slater's Restaurant — Tickets required — Experience a night of laughter with comedy legend Tony V and special guest Emily Ruskowski.

Toledo Mud Hens vs. Worcester Red Sox

4:05-8:05 p.m. — Polar Park — Ticket pricing varies — Experience an exciting minor league baseball showdown with local flair.