Free Events in Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island August 6-12

Summer is racing by, far too quickly! It's the first full week of August and high school preseason practices begin next Monday the 13th! We continue to try and keep a list of FREE, family friendly, events that are going on in the Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island area, which will be published weekly on the WDEA website. Here is our list for the week August 6-12th .

Southwest Harbor -5:30-7PM Southwest Harbor Public Library. Living on the Edge:
A Guide to Tide Pool Animals, Seaweeds, and Seaside Plants with Ruth Grierson and Thomas Vining. Ruth is a former music teacher and well-known local naturalist. She has authored four books about island wildlife, and for over thirty years she has written a weekly nature column for the Mount Desert Islander. She and co-author Thomas Vining will be at the Library to talk about Living on the Edge: a Guide to Tide Pool Animals, Seaweeds, and Seaside Plants

Bar Harbor - Town Band Concert 8PM Bandstand - Village Green (Lasts 1 hour)

Tuesday August 7th
Ellsworth - 10:30 -11:15 AM - Ellsworth Public Library - Reading Rocks! A family music group that meets every Tuesday through August 14th. You're invited to join this music group as they sing, dance, play instruments and have lots of fun while working on early literary and social skills. The class is geared towards kids ages 3-6 but all ages and abilities are welcome.

Ellsworth 2PM - Ellsworth Public Library - The Tuesday Readers - An afternoon book discussion group meets the 1st Tuesday of each month. Librarian Mary McKillop facilitates these discussions. Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto will be discussed. Coffee, tea and refreshments served. Meet in the Riverview Room.

Bar Harbor - 4-7PM. Free Community Meal with entertainment. Prepared by Open Table MDI. Served at Bar Harbor Congregational Church on Mount Desert Street.

Southwest Harbor- 5:30-7PM Southwest Harbor Public Library . Keepers of Baker Island with Cornelia Cesari. Baker Island, one of the five Cranberry Isles, is mostly owned by Acadia National Park, with only two privately owned buildings. Its fascinating history includes the 1806 settlement by the Gilley family; its lighthouse keepers from 1828 until 1955; and many young schoolteachers. The well-known Dance Floor rock formation on the southern shore has been a favorite picnic spot since the mid 19^th century. In her research, author, Cornelia Cesari discovered many fascinating stories of tragedy, joy and adventure about Baker Island.

Bar Harbor - Town Band Concert 8PM Salisbury Cove (Lasts 1 hour)

Wednesday August 8th
Southwest Harbor -10AM-10:45AM Southwest Harbor Public Library Toddler Storytime Sing-A-Long with Paul Kaplan. (Designed ages 3-5 but all welcome.)

Ellsworth - 6PM Ellsworth Public Library. Off the Wall Juggling and Comedy. World-renowned jugglers and comedians, Jason Tardy and Steve Corning have performed all across the US and beyond, with highlights including Disney Cruise Lines, the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, and the White House in Washington, DC. Now they are combining their talents to create Off The Wall, a brand new variety show of ultimate proportions. Featuring fast paced juggling routines, off-the-cuff comedy, escape wizardry, dangerous props, and insane stunts, this show is non-stop entertainment for the entire family!

Ellsworth - Ellsworth Community Band 7PM - Harbor Park and Marina (Lasts 1 Hour)

Bar Harbor - Seaside Cinema - Free Movie in Agamont Park at Sunset (Approximately 7:49PM) "Whale Rider" Rated PG-13

Thursday August 9th
Ellsworth - 6PM Ellsworth Public Library - The Ellsworth Chess Club meets every Thursday evening at the Ellsworth Public Library. New members are welcome.

Ellsworth 6-7PM - Ellsworth Public Library - Author Visit - Paul Doiron. Maine author of the Mike Bowditch series Paul Doiron will speak about his latest book Stay Hidden, the 9th in the series. Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of Blue Hill Books.

Southwest Harbor 6:30 PM. Southwest Harbor Public Library - The culminating premiere event for Reading Showtime - a program where young people turn books they've read into short films with the help of Andrew Simon and Brittany Parker from the Barn Arts Collective. Join the Library for a star-studded evening, complete with a red carpet, interviews, fashion, and more!

Ellsworth - 7PM Ellsworth Public Library - Maine St. Andrews Pipe and Drums on the front lawn. The Maine St. Andrews Pipe and Drums was formed in 1996 from the merger of two well-known bagpipe bands, Northern Border Caledonia and Acadian Pipes & Drums. Under the leadership of Pipe Major Scott Heney and Drum Major Anthea O’Neal, the band includes musicians with experience which ranges from 45 years to less than 6 months. Members and apprentices from all over Central, Midcoast and Downeast Maine travel to Ellsworth for weekly rehearsals. Following the long standing traditions established by its two predecessors, The Maine St. Andrews Pipe and Drums entertains audiences throughout Maine in parades and concerts, competes in Highland Games in New England and Canada, and provides educational presentations to Maine’s school children. The band wears the Maine State Tartan. Designed in 1964, it is believed to be the oldest district tartan in the United States. Its colors include light blue, representing the sky, dark blue for the waters, dark green for the forests, and a thin red line for the bloodline of the people.

Northeast Harbor - Free Movie by the Marina (Approximately 7:47 PM) A Wrinkle in Time" Rated PG

Ellsworth - Free Movie in Knowlton Park at Sunset (Approximately 7:48 PM) "Paddington" Rated PG

Bar Harbor - Town Band Concert 8PM Bandstand - Village Green (Lasts 1 hour)

Friday August 10th
Southwest Harbor - 10AM-11AM Southwest Harbor Public Library - Baby Storytime Susan Michalski and Amanda Crafts welcome babies with songs, rhymes, and short stories. Baby Storytime is designed especially for babies under two years. Siblings are welcome

Ellsworth - Waterfront Concert Series at Ellsworth's Union River Harbor Park 6PM-  Shirt Tail Kin - Alternative Country Rock

Saturday August 11th
Ellsworth - 10AM  Ellsworth Public Library - The Hancock County Genealogical Society will hold their monthly meeting. Meetings are held the 2nd Saturday of the month and are free and newcomers are welcome

Southwest Harbor - 1:30PM Southwest Harbor Public Library. Charles Kowalski, author of Mind Virus, will discuss his latest book, The Devil’s Son, a political thriller.

Ongoing
Ellsworth - Knowlton Park's Splash Pad is the place to cool off in Ellsworth!

The restroom facilities are open from 8AM to 9 PM. The changing rooms at Knowlton Park are open as well. Water in the Splash Pad will operate between 10AM and 8PM, everyday, unless the temperature falls below 65, which it will then automatically shut off until the temperature rises again.

Looking for somewhere that's kid friendly and FREE in Bar Harbor to cool off? The place to go is the Glen Mary Wading Pool! The Pool has a maximum depth of 2 feet and is open daily from 10AM to 8 PM. There is no lifeguard on duty, and children under 10 need to be accompanied by someone 14 and over. Pets are not allowed in the fenced in area. Food and beverage is allowed but not in the water. There are changing facilities

The Glen Mary Wading Pool is located at 11 Waldren Road. The easiest way to get there is to go on Park Street and go past the YMCA and cross Ledgelawn Avenue. At the end of the road turn right onto Glen Mary Road. At the end of the road turn left onto Waldren Road.

Handy Phone Numbers
Ellsworth Public Library - 207-667-6363
Southwest Harbor Public Library - 207-244-7065
Northeast Harbor Public Library - 207-276-3333