List of Free, Fun, Family Friendly Activities July 19-25 in Downeast Maine

Things are starting to heat up, with more FREE, FUN and FAMILY FRIENDLY activities in Downeast Maine. Here's a list we have for events and activities taking place the week of July 19th -25th.  If you have events that you wish to add, please email them to me at chris.popper@townsquaremedia.com. This list will be published weekly, hopefully on Sundays in the future and updated as events are added during the week.

Monday, July 19

• Southwest Harbor Public Library - Maine Library Quest Website Treasure Hunt for Tweens & Teens The Southwest Harbor Public Library is proud to participate in Maine's first ever Library Quest. Tweens, teens, and their families can act as detectives, looking at library websites across the state of Maine for clues to solve a mystery: Who Stole the Honeybees? Search participating library websites for clues and add them to field journals. More details and prize info to come!
• Ellsworth Public Library - Lounge and Listen 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join Miss Renee as she reads a fun chapter book. This event will be held outside, socially distanced, on the Library's lawn. Please bring your own blanket or chair.

Tuesday, July 20

• Ellsworth Public Library - Yoga on the Lawn 10:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m.BYOM ~ Bring your own Mat for Yoga on the Library Lawn with Genevieve M Billings RYT – 200, RCYT of Bala Bee Yoga! Story Time Yoga Includes: A story, creative playful movement, games to get the wiggles out, a mindful activity, breath work & yoga poses to compliment the featured book. Closing with a guided relaxation.Ideal for 3 – 9 year olds, all welcome & parents are encouraged to stay.Pre–Registration Required Call Keli at the Library 667–6363
• Bar Harbor  - Open Table MDI Take Out Cafe- 4 p.m to 6 p.m. Offering FREE, healthy community meals in Bar Harbor, Maine. These meals are hosted at the Bar Harbor Congregational Church and are open to all.
• Northeast Harbor Public Library - 5:30 p.m. Outdoor Storytime with Ms. Robin

Wednesday, July 21

• Ellsworth - First Congregational Church offers a free take-out meal available between 2:30 and 4 p.m. Please call the church by 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, 667-8321, to reserve a free meal. Enter the Church Street door located diagonally across from the Ellsworth Police Station.
• Ellsworth - Ellsworth Concert Band - Harbor Park Schedule is Set-up and warm-up from 6:10- 6:30; Rehearsals: 6:30-7:00 and Concert  7:10-7:45
• Ellsworth - Ellsworth Public Library - Bee Parks and the Hornets 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.  An indie pop-rock band for all insects and ages, Bee Parks and the Hornets perform high-energy concert parties that combine rockin’ music, puppetry and audience participation to inspire young people to get up and move — both with their feet and in their communities. With all-original songs that promote kindness, equality, self-confidence, social justice, environmental awareness and dancing your heart out, Bee Parks and the Hornets take audience members of all ages on a musical adventure that will open up spirits and imaginations. Out on the lawn, bring your own blanket or chair. (Rain Date Thursday July 22 at 11 a.m.)

• Bar Harbor - Seaside Cinema (Dusk) - The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce presents the 1st FREE Outdoor movie of the season in Agamont Park.Pack the bug spray, snacks, blankets and lawn chairs and get ready for a great night! This week's movie is "The Pirates! Band of Misfits"

Thursday, July 22

• Ellsworth Public Library - Family Story Time 10:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m. Join Miss Keli for silly songs and stories. This event will be held outside, socially distanced, on our lawn. Please bring your own blanket or chair. Bring home a fun make & take craft. *event will be cancelled for bad weather*
• Jesup Memorial Library -Summer Reading: Meet a Miniature Donkey (Registration Required) 10:30 a.m to 11:30 a.m.. Meet Marjorie Greene and her miniature donkeys. Everyone will read the story “Teeny Tiny Ernest'“ by Laura T. Barnes.Contact Miss Mae to reserve your spot by calling 207-288-42425 or by email.
• Ellsworth Public Library - Virtual Dungeon and Dragons 3 to 4 p.m. Join the Ellsworth Public Library during their virtual D&D group for hours of fun! Bring a character and a set of dice. For kids in grades 5-12. If you would like to learn how to play D&D join them on the first Monday of the month. Registration is required for these events. Please click the link
• Jesup Memorial Library - Virtual Talk: Wendell Gilley Museum at 40 7 p.m to 8 p.m. Join the Wendell Gilley Museum Director Sean Charette for a virtual talk that explores the connections between people, nature and art and learn more about Wendell Gilley himself.
• Ellsworth Public Library - Move and Groove Storytime 10:30 a.m. Join Miss Jean for a playful and interactive storytime for ages 2-5!  Explore your favorite children’s books (and find some new ones) through song, dance, and lots of creative movement!  This event will be held outside, socially distanced, on our lawn. Please bring a blanket and wear comfortable clothing for the weather.  Shakers and scarves will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own.
• Ellsworth Public Library - Tails and Tales of Humpback Whales with Lindsey Jones of Allied Whales 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Via Zoom -  Click to register Did you know that humpback whales have unique markings on their tails like our fingerprints? Learn how photos of whale tails or "flukes" taken from across the North Atlantic Ocean tell each whale's life story. Allied Whale at the College of the Atlantic maintains the North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog, which includes thousands of humpback whales tracked throughout the ocean basin thanks to collaboration with research groups and citizen scientists. Lindsey Jones will give a virtual presentation about the local whales that frequent Maine waters, how to identify individual humpback whales, and will share stories of the lives of humpback whales.
• Jesup Memorial Library - 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Virtual Book Talk with Art Director Basha Burwell and Writer Kathleen Hackett "The Maine House" There’s a quality of life in Maine which is singular and unique…It’s absolutely a world unto itself,” observed artist Jamie Wyeth. For several years, acclaimed photographer Maura McEvoy and art director Basha Burwell traveled the length and breadth of the state, ferrying across countless bays and inlets, braving dubious dirt roads, and combing seaside towns in search of houses that capture Maine’s singular character. These are not designer houses: they are homes created by the people who live in them—from writers to fishermen, textile designers to farmers—distinctive for their ingenuity, originality, and fierce individuality.

Friday July 23

• Milbridge- Gateway Milbridge is sponsoring Gus LaCasse with a live concert at the Milbridge Theatre Waterfront Stage. Music begins at 6:30 p.m. Gus is known for his incredible energy, innovative spirit, and dedication to the Cape Breton and Acadian music traditions. Gus is known across North America for his amazing talent and energy which will have you clapping and dancing right along with him.(Rain date for each performance will be Sunday). Bring a chair to enjoy the evening with us!The Milbridge Theatre Outdoor Stage is now located on the beautiful waterfront of the Milbridge Town Marina (Bayview Road in Milbridge)

• Southwest Harbor - Southwest Harbor Public Library at the Wendall Gilley Museum Author Paul Doiron - Death Before Dawn 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This will take place outside under a canopy, with masks required and social distancing enforced. Reservations are required, but there is no fee to attend.  Books will be available for purchase. Paul writes the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels set in the Maine woods. His first book, The Poacher’s Son, won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award and was nominated for an Edgar for Best First Novel. His story “Rabid” was a finalist for the 2019 Edgar in the Best Short Story category. Paul’s eleventh book, One Last Lie, came out in June from Minotaur Books and Dead Before Dawn is being released June 29, 2021. Paul is Editor Emeritus of Down East: The Magazine of Maine and a Registered Maine Guide specializing in fly fishing. Make your reservations HERE

Saturday, July 24

• Jonesboro - Jonesboro Grange #357 hosting their 1st Annual Downeast Lobster Festival 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Yard Sale, Craft Fair, Darling's Ice Cream Truck, Down East Institute Touch Tank, Lobsterman's Games and Lobster Feed by purchase starts at 11:30 a.m.
• Ellsworth Public Library - Books and Babies 10:30 to 11 a.m. - Join Miss Cheryl for stories, songs, rhymes, bounces, puppets and more. This event will be held outside, socially distanced, on the Library's lawn. Please bring your own blanket or chair. Event will be cancelled for bad weather
• Ellsworth Public Library Summer Celebration - 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You’re invited to a Summer Celebration at the library! Join the Library for ice cream (by donation), lawn games, and music from Mr. Harley. The rain date for this event is July 31.
• Ellsworth - Woodlawn Museum - Gordon Ward in Concert 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Gordon Ward returns to Woodlawn after live streaming a winter concert in the Black House during 2020. BYOB, lawn chair/blanket, picnic.... Gordon is, at heart, a storyteller who paints musical portraits that plumb the depths of our emotions and bring the past to life through contemporary folk rock.

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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