Free Events in Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island July 23-29

Summer is racing by, far too quickly! 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 July 23rd-29th. .

While this is not a comprehensive list, it's what I have been able to find by talking to the Chambers of Commerce, Public Libraries and events that I'm generally aware of. If you would like to have your FREE event listed, please email it to me in advance at chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com

Monday July 23rd
Southwest Harbor - 10AM-11AM Southwest Public Library - Early Elementary Story Time - A new summer story time for early-elementary-aged kids! Parents welcome, too.

Northeast Harbor - 10:30AM Northeast Harbor Public Library - Bee Parks and the Hornets: Join the Band! Join indie pop-rock band, Bee Parks and the Hornets, on a musical journey to open up spirits and imaginations! Led by the Barn Arts Collective's Brittany Parker, the band will give an interactive concert of their original songs, featuring themes of kindness, equality, saving the environment, and dancing your heart out. The audience soon becomes the rock stars, as members from the band lead a song and dance workshop that will result in the creation of a brand new musical hit! Interactive multidimensional performance will keep you on the edge of your seat! Jam out with guitar sax and trumpet and keyboard! Based out of Mount Desert Island in Maine, they perform high-energy shows that combine original songs, puppetry, and audience participation to inspire young people to get up and move — both with their feet and in their communities.

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

Tuesday July 24th
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.
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 . Kate Dempsey State Director of the Nature Conservancy in Maine presents "Earth Optimism: Reasons to Feel Positive about Maine's People and Places and (Even) the Planet. In Maine people are acting to restore our rivers and fisheries, keep our forests thriving and reduce the impact from climate change and a difference is being made here and around the globe. Dempsey talks about the Conservancy's priorities and stories of why she's hopeful for a future where nature and people can thrive together.

Wednesday July 25th
Southwest Harbor -10AM-10:45AM Southwest Harbor Public Library Toddler Storytime Join Amanda Crafts as she leads songs, simple sign language, and interactive short stories. (Designed ages 3-5 but all welcome.)

Ellsworth - 12Noon - Ellsworth Public Library - "The Great American Read" Find out what your Ellsworth Public Librarians recommend from the The Great American Read list at this book talk. There will be an opportunity for you to share your favorites as well. Librarians participating are Amy Wisehart, Mary McKillop, Abby Morrow and Avery Garrod. Meet in the Riverview Room.

Ellsworth - 6PM Ellsworth Public Library. Summertime Delights - Mr. Harley. The story of the Pied Piper entrancing the children of Hamelin has lasted for centuries. Now, in the 21st century, a new Pied Piper is making his way across America, only he’s using his powers for good. His name is Mr. Harley, and for the past nine years his music and his concerts have made children of all ages very happy. Mr. Harley leads a secret life as Harley Smith, mild-mannered jazz/rock drummer of the Maine music scene. But as Mr. Harley, he brings a lively guitar, a pile of songs, and a fender-wide grin to the stage, where his sheer exuberance has energized and delighted crowds of all shapes and sizes, from birthday parties to the Common Ground Fair. A Mr. Harley audience is not a timid one. Any inhibitions are magically wiped away, and it isn’t long before kids (and even a few grownups) are hopping like frogs, wriggling like snakes, and roaring like tigers. Some even join Mr. Harley onstage to sing, dance, and play. By the end of his shows, any barriers between old and young, big and small, have vanished completely. Mr. Harley knows all the classic children’s songs, as well as children’s songs disguised as grownup songs (think “All Together Now” by the Beatles), but it’s his original compositions that get the biggest responses. Songs like “Blue Shirt,” “the Sneeze Song,” and the say-that-five-times-fast “Stegameganoodlefudanappysaurus” are met with squeals of delight and enthusiastic singalongs, even from those who are hearing them for the first time.

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

Bar Harbor - Seaside Cinema - Free Movie in Agamont Park at Sunset (Approximately 8:07 PM) "The Indian in the Cupboard" Rated PG

Thursday July 26th
Ellsworth - 6PM Ellsworth Public Library - The Ellsworth Chess Club meets every Thursday evening at the Ellsworth Public Library. New members are welcome.

Ellsworth 6PM - Ellsworth Public Library - Read ME event - Aislin Sarnacki returns with her latest book "Maine Hikes Off the Beaten Path: 35 Trails Waiting to be Discovered". This visual presentation highlighting some of the trails, mountain views and wildlife reserves will help you plan your next Maine hiking adventure! Books will be available for signing. Meet in the Ellsworth Public Libary.

Southwest Harbor 6:30 PM. Southwest Harbor Public Library - The Southwest Harbor Public Library’s Family Concert Series continues with "The Tut and and Jasty Show". Mount Desert Island quarry workers Tut and Jasty make a visit from the past to show how to get inventive when working with granite. The evening will also feature Lego designs built by the campers throughout the week.

Southwest Harbor 7PM - St. John's Episcopal Church Kneisel Hall Chamber Concert - Presented by the Southwest Harbor Public Library, the concert will feature several different ensembles performing a variety of works.

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

Ellsworth - Free Movie in Knowlton Park at Sunset (Approximately 8:05 PM) "Wonder" Rated PG

Friday July 27th
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- Sonas - Traditional Celtic music

Saturday July 28th
Ellsworth - 10AM-12Noon Ellsworth Public Library - DNA Interest Group (DIG). DNA Testing can help identify or discover the unknown for many individuals and families. The presentation will look at real life examples. You will see how mysteries, secrets and surprises have been discovered and solved by using targeted Y and Autosomal DNA. DNA testing can prove or disprove relationships, can help adoptees find biological families and fill in gaps in family tree research. Library Genealogist, Charlene Fox Clemons facilitates the meetings held on the 4th Saturday of each month. Meet in the Riverview Room

Southwest Harbor - 1:30 PM Southwest Harbor Public Library.  Laurie Smukler the new Music and Artistic Director at Kneisel Hall in Blue Hill will bring some of her students for a presentation about Kneisel Hall. Kneisel Hall offers a summer of Festival Concerts, which begin in 1902 when Franz Kneisel, founder of the first professional string quartet in America, began bringing students to his Maine vacation home for summer study.

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