Events happening around Central Massachusetts this month!

Worcester Pride Parade and Festival
Worcester Pride recognizes, promotes, educates and unifies the Central Massachusetts LGBTQ community, allies and supporters. The annual Pride Parade will begin at Institute Park at 11 a.m. and continue down Main Street to the Worcester Common, where the Pride Festival will commence. The festival will offer music by local DJs, drag shows, belly dancing and tables and booths from local community organizations. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9; Worcester Common, 455 Main St., Worcester; free; worcesterpride.org.

19th Annual Pet Rock Festival
The 19th annual Pet Rock Fest will, for the first time, take place at Wyman-Gordon in North Grafton ? it’s biggest venue yet! The event features all of the popular attractions, but also will include additions to usual offerings: from food and vendors to events and nonprofit participation. And, of course, Pet Rock Fest continues to put the spotlight on the animal welfare organizations of New England that work hard to promote kindness to animals. Noon-5 p.m. Sept. 10; Wyman Gordon, 244 Worcester St., North Grafton; $12 for adults, $5 for children; petrockfest.org or facebook.com/petrockfest.

qFlix Film Festival
qFLIX Worcester: New England’s LGBTQ Film Festival presents a series of films that seek to educate and entertain during a weekend festival. The festival includes an opening reception, films throughout the weekend, an awards ceremony and an after party. Sept 14-17; Hanover Theatre for the Performing Arts, 2 Southbridge St., Worcester; $10 per film or $89 for all-access badge, seating is first-come, first served; thehanovertheatre.org.

Mass Fermentational Craft Beer Festival
More than 50 breweries are expected to pour at the Mass Fermentational, which will raise funds to create educational and marketing programs for local breweries and support the organization’s government affairs work. Attendees are guaranteed 2-ounce samples of craft beer throughout the afternoon, yum! 1-5 p.m. Sept.16; Worcester Common, 455 Main St., Worcester; $45 for general admission, $10 for designated driver; MassFermentational.EventBrite.com.

Inaugural Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon boat racing is great for businesses looking for team-building exercises and families, friends and community groups looking for a good time. This first-time event on Lake Quinsigamond will include dragon boat races for amateurs and club teams, performances, food, music, activities for kids and much more. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The United Way of Central Mass. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept.23; DCR Regatta Point & Lake Quinsigamond, 10 N. Lake Ave., Worcester; free, but pre-registration required for teams; worcesterdragonboats.com.

Chopped! Worcester
Using food from the Jeremiah’s Inn Nutrition Center/Food Pantry, four Worcester chefs will create an appetizer and entree to be judged by three celebrity judges. All proceeds will benefit Jeremiah’s Inn Nutrition Center/Food Pantry. Enjoy the show, food, a cash bar and many auction items. 5:30 p.m. Sept. 25; The White Room, Crompton Collective, 138 Green St., Worcester; $27; jeremiahsinn.com/whats-happening/events.

Party in the Street
Gardner’s Moon Hill Brewing Co. at the Gardner Ale House and the city of Gardner present the 12th annual Oktoberfest Party In The Street. The party begins at 11 a.m., with the ceremonial Tapping of the Keg in front of the Gardner Ale House. Gardner closes Parker Street for the day and a New Orleans street party atmosphere ensues, featuring craft beer, authentic German fare, the world’s largest Chicken Dance, the Gardner Chair Luge and a free concert from 3:30-10 p.m. 11 a.m. Sept. 30, Gardner Ale House, 74 Parker St., Gardner; free; gardnerale.com.

Global Harvest Festival
This festive weekend features international crafts and games, live music, delicious food and, of course, all the farm animals. Get your face painted, press apple cider, dig for potatoes, roll beeswax candles, take a swing at a piñata and much more. Hop on a hay ride to the pick-your-own pumpkin patch and enjoy a farm-to-table lunch.  10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 30 and Oct.1; Heifer Farm, 216 Wachusett St., Rutland; $10 for adults, $5 for children; heifer.org.