2026 Memorial Day Events in Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Ellsworth and Hancock

Memorial Day is Monday, May 25th. It's more than a day off from work or school. It's a day to honor those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Here are the planned activities in Bar Harbor, Southwest Harbor, Northeast Harbor, Ellsworth and Hancock.

Bar Harbor

The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce will lead the Remembrance Ceremony at 10 a.m. at the War Memorial on the Village Green.

Reverend Tracy will deliver remarks, there will be a keynote speaker and members of the US Army Band will play music. Wreaths will then be placed in front of the War Memorial.

Northeast Harbor

The traditional Memorial Day parade begins at the Mount Desert Elementary School at 10:30 a.m. and heads toward Main Street, concluding at the Village Green with ceremonies.

During the ceremony there is typically a reading, playing of the National Anthem and Taps and a recitation of those from Mount Desert who lost their lives in service to our country to a community cookout, the Northeast Harbor 2024 Memorial Day Observance had something for everyone.

The names on the Joseph t. Musetti Jr. Veterans Memorial Park Honor Roll include

• Lester J. Lurvey - World War I
• Ralph W. Reynolds - World War 1
• Leslie D. Wright - World War II
• Julian G. Smith - World War II
• Donald F. Graves - World War II
• Joseph P. Chase Jr. - World War II
• Francis G. Kelley - World War II
• Kenneth F. Grindle - World War II
• George M. Chilles - World War II
• Robert H. Parker - Korean War
• Joseph T. Musetti Jr. - Vietnam
• George R. Holmes - Vietnam

Directly following the ceremonies in Northeast Harbor (around 11:00 a.m.), The Neighborhood House hosts a  hamburger and hot dog cookout on the Village Green. The suggested donation is $5.00 per person, and all veterans eat for free.

Check out the photos from the 2024 Northeast Harbor Memorial Day Observance at the end of the story

Southwest Harbor

The Acadia Chamber has a full morning planned.

• 8 a.m. - The Memorial Mile Family Fun Run and Walk - Pemetic School
• 8:30 a.m. - Line-up for Parade and Kids Bike Decorating - Seal Cove Shops
• 9 a.m. - Norwood Square Ceremony
• 9:10 a.m. - Parade Proceeds down Main Street
• 9:30 a.m. - Village Green Ceremony
• 10 a.m - Common Good Soup Kitchen Coffee and Refreshments and Bicycle Safety Check conducted by the Southwest Harbor Police Department.

Note children under 10 will need to be accompanied by an adult if bicycling in the parade

Ellsworth

Sadly, there will not be a parade in Ellsworth this year.

The VFW Post 109 Color Guard will hold a ceremony on the Union River Bridge at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 25th. A wreath will be dropped into the River in memory of those lost at sea, followed by a rifle salute and playing of Taps.

At 10 a.m. there will be a ceremony in front of the Veteran's Memorial on the lawn next to City Hall. Traditionally there has been a brief recital of the general order creating Memorial Day and then flags and wreaths were solemnly placed in front of the War Memorial. Finally there is usually another 21-gun salute and the playing of taps.

Here is last year's ceremony

Hancock

The Union Congregational Church of Hancock will host Breakfast on the Green at the Town’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Hancock Village Memorial Lot on Monday May 25th. The Lot is located at the intersection of Point Road and US Route 1 in Hancock. Breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, muffins, coffee, water, juice boxes, and more will be available for purchase beginning at 8:30 a.m. prior to the start of the Ceremony.

The Memorial Day Observance activities will start at 9:20 a.m. when the community parade contingents gather at the Hancock Women’s Club parking lot. The Hancock Grammar School Band, members and vehicles of the Hancock Volunteer Fire Department, and other community groups will proceed to the Memorial Lot at 9:30 a.m. to begin the Observance Ceremony. Posting of the Colors by the Fire Department Honor Guard, music selections by the Grammar School Band, and remarks by Hancock Navy Veteran Christie Dyer will follow.

Please call the church at 422-3100 or the Hancock Town Office at 422-3393 with any questions.

Check out the photos from the Northeast Harbor Memorial Day Parade and Observances from 2024

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