The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Acadia Shops.
THINGS TO DO
It’s our weekly round-up, and we may have missed some things, so apologies! If you have something you’d like in here, please let us know.
Also, you may have to click through to see everything. There are so many things that this email is a bit long for a lot of inboxes.
We hope you have some great adventures this week!
To check out our news stories and briefs from the past week, click on the archive section, and you’ll see them in chronological order.
This week’s goofy video.
WHERE CAN YOU EAT?
You can check out the list of all the restaurants at our new site, ACADIA ADVENTURES.
We’re still building out the site, but the restaurants are here!
If you’re an owner/manager/employee of a restaurant that isn’t on the list yet, please let us know and we’ll get you there, but please be kind about it and know that any lack of mention is not intentional.
THE ABBE!
For a list of Abbe events, click here.
ACADIA CHAMBER
For a list of Acadia Chamber events, click here.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
For a list of events at the park, you can visit the National Park Service’s calendar or Ranger Programs web pages.
ACADIA SENIOR COLLEGE
Acadia Senior College offers interesting talks, informative classes, lively discussions, field trips, retreats, and fun gatherings. For a list of its events, head here.
ACADIA REPERTORY THEATRE
THE ANNEX
Located in Bar Harbor with music nightly.
ARTEMIS GALLERY
For a list of openings!
ARTWAVES CLASSES AND EVENTS
ArtWaves often has classes, a variety every week. For the updated selection, check out its website here.
BAR HARBOR CHAMBER
For Bar Harbor Chamber’s calendar, click here.
BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY
For a full list of Bar Harbor Historical Society, events, click through here.
THE BAR HARBOR MUSIC FESTIVAL
Here’s a list of all the events.
BEECH HILL FARM
THE COLLEGE OF THE ATLANTIC
A list of events is here. Make sure to choose “open to the public” on the side bar.
CRITERION THEATRE
For a list of events, click through here.
Full Show Schedule
8/16 Chris Thile
8/22 Pink Talking Fish - A Fusion of Pink Floyd, Talking Heads & Phish
8/23 Orleans (Quartet)
8/27 Asleep At The Wheel
8/28 Barrington Levy
9/13 Livingston Taylor
THE CYGNET GALLERY
For a list of events, click through here.
The Cygnet’s August exhibit opened this week!
The August Exhibition opening reception occurred on Thursday August 7, 5-7:00 p.m. and on the heels of the Cynget’s “The Lost Weekend” show featuring May Pang’s private collection of her photographs depicting her 18 months relationship with John Lennon.
Featured artists this month are Dorothy Feeley, Patty Corcoran, Sharyn Paul Brusie, Rick Hamilton, Matthew Russ and Judy Volkmann.
DOWNEAST PILATES
FRIENDS OF ACADIA
For a full list of Friends of Acadia events, click through here.
EVENTS AT THE GILLEY
For a full list of Gilley events, click here.
THE FINBACK ALE HOUSE!
The Finback usually has local musicians, open mic nights and karaoke all summer long. Its Instagram is here. A typical line-up looks like the one below. Usually, the Finback updates its list on Tuesdays.
FOGTOWN (In Ellsworth, but by request)
There is an open mic night Wednesday evenings, trivia nights on Thursday evenings and live music in the beer garden on Friday evenings.
The Ellsworth farmers market is also now held in the parking lot of Fogtown brewery Saturday mornings beginning at around nine.
Link to the website with all the events: https://www.fogtownbrewing.com/events
THE GALLERY AT SOMES SOUND
Gallery at Somes Sound | Thomas Blagden, Photographer
Acadia: The Engaging Landscape
August 10 - 31, 2025
The Gallery at Somes Sound will feature photographs by Thomas Bladgen during the month of August (10 – 31), “Acadia” The Engaging Landscape.” A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Friends of Acadia.
For a list of exhibitions and to find out more, click here.
THE GRAND THEATER (In Ellsworth, but by request)
For a list of Grand events, click here.
HARBOR HOUSE
For a full list of events, click here for programs, click here.
HEALTHY ACADIA EVENTS
For a list of events, click here.
HIDDEN BARN BOOKS IN BAR HARBOR
Hidden Barn Books is located in Bar Harbor behind Reel Pizza. For a list of events, click here.
IVY MANOR MUSIC
Music on the lawn.
JESUP EVENTS
For a full list of Jesup Memorial Library events, click through to its calendar here.
LAND AND GARDEN PRESERVE
For a full list of Land and Garden Preserve events, click through here.
THE LINKS PUB AT KEBO
MAINE GRANITE INDUSTRY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
The museum is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10 to 4 through October 31
The museum believes on hands-on learning. A list of programs is here.
MDI HIGH SCHOOL
A list of events is here.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A list of events is here.
MOUNT DESERT ISLAND ADULT EDUCATION
A list of classes and events is here.
MT. DESERT FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC
A list of 2025 concerts is here!
MDI YMCA
Events are here and the gym schedule is here. You can peruse its website for other schedules. The fitness schedule and youth programs are below.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSE SCHEDULE
The calendar is here.
THE NOR’EASTER POUND AND MARKET
Live music is in the air at The Nor’Easter Pound & Market!
Open Mic Thursdays 7-9 PM hosted by the one and only Dallas Hodgkins— bring your talent or just come enjoy the show!
Live Music Saturdays 7-9 PM featuring amazing local musicians bringing the coastal vibes to Northeast Harbor.
For more information, head over here.
NORTHEAST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
REEL PIZZA
To see what’s playing, click here.
SANDBAR COTTAGE INN
SAFE HARBOR CLUB
22 Village Green Way, Southwest Harbor
A list of all events are here.
Safe Harbor ALANO Club open Fridays-Saturday: 4 p.m.; Sundays-11 a.m.
Beginners AA, Thursdays, 5:30 p.m.
AA, Thursdays, 7 p.m.
ALANON, Sundays, 7 p.m.
SEAL COVE AUTO MUSEUM!
SOMESVILLE LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAMS
The August 20 event is cancelled. The next event is September 6.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
St. SAVIOUR’S FOLK MUSIC SERIES
TIMBERLAND ACRES CAMPGROUND
TREMONT HISTORICAL SOCIETY COUNTRY STORE AND MUSEUM IN BASS HARBOR
Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons from 1–4 p.m., July through Columbus Day, or by appointment.
For more information, click here.
VOLTA!
Volta, in Trenton, has a ton of things always going on. You can check that out here.
WENDELL GILLEY MUSEUM!
The museum is full of art and craft and exhibit. You can check out its events here.
ALL MONTH/ONGOING
PRODUCE EXCHANGE!
MONDAY, AUGUST 11
RANGER READ ALOUD
TOPICS IN MODERN HEALTH
LEGO CLUB!
Divine Play Yoga at the Neighborhood House
Mon/Wed; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Cost: $15/class
with Mike Bouscaren
Register: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=19801383
Monday events via the Bar Harbor Chamber:
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12
Maine Sculptor Interprets Nature in Bronze
David Smus is People-Nature-Art presenter Aug. 12
SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Award-winning Maine sculptor David Smus is bringing his passion for nature and his considerable talent to the Wendell Gilley Museum on Aug. 12 as the People-Nature-Art presenter for August. “I've blended a life-long love and inspired study of nature, animals and fine art,” he says.
There will be a 6 p.m. artist’s reception followed by his presentation at 7 p.m. which will be in person and simultaneously livecast. Both in-person and online attendance is free, but registration is required at www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/calendar. Two pieces of his art – a lifesized great blue heron and a grouping of five puffins – will be on display at the Gilley in the weeks before his presentation.
AUGUST 12 - CRAIG FINN AT HIDDEN BARN
REEF POINT—A PLAY IN ONE ACT
THE WELL TREE AT SASSAFRASS
AUGUST 12 - ZERO ENERGY HOMES OPEN HOUSE!
GREAT LIBRARIES FOR GREAT COMMUNITIES
AUGUST 12 - THE MOUNTAIN GOATS
LOVING THE NORTH WOODS
August 12, 2025
9:30 a.m.
Coffee & Conversation: Loving the North Woods: 25 Years of Historic Conservation in Maine
College of the Atlantic
Davis Center for Human Ecology
105 Eden Street
Bar Harbor
Free; registration required
coa.edu/calendar
CRANE FOLDING
10 AM at SOUTHWEST HARBOR LIBRARY—ANNE SIBLEY O’BRIEN
PIES FOR PROGRESS
STORY AND PLAY
TRIVIA AT THE LINKS
OPEN TABLE MDI!
Open Table MDI is at 116 Cottage Street, Bar Harbor.
PLAY-DOH PLAYTIME
THE WAY OF BEING
Move Free Run Club
BAR HARBOR—The runs take place every week of the year and meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte.
The Move Free Run Club (Acadia Chapter) meets every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte! Hope to meet more members of the community!
TWO SHOES LINE DANCING!
Tuesday events via the Chamber:
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON!
FAMILY PAINT AND SIP AT THE GILLEY
August 13, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Paint a Magical Night Sky with Mountain Silhouettes in this fun Family Paint ‘n’ Sip. Artist Erika Elizabeth will walk students through a step-by-step process. All materials provided along with tea, seltzer, juice and snacks. This family-friendly paint ‘n’ sip is suitable for all experience levels, and those age 6 and older. All materials will be provided. Space is limited, and preregistration is required.
Museum Members: 1 Adult $25; 1 Adult & 1 Child $39
Non-member: 1 Adult $29; 1 Adult & 1 Child $52
Each additional child $8
Sign up at https://www.wendellgilleymuseum.org/reserve/JBw94
OPENING RECEPTION AT THE GILLEY
Join us at the Gilley for an opening reception for our next special art exhibit: Sarah Matthewson: Memory Flies Home, which runs from Aug. 9 through Nov. 1. The reception is from 5:30 -7 p.m.
SEASIDE CINEMA
Seaside Cinema is at Agamont Park in Bar Harbor. Kick off the summer with this heartwarming animated classic! Follow the unforgettable friendship between a curious boy and a gentle giant from space.
Bring your blankets, lawn chairs, and your favorite movie buddy for a cozy night under the stars! Free popcorn while supplies last!
Movie starts after sunset!!
KATHERINE PERKINS AT BEECH HILL FARM
DALLAS HODGKINS—THE SINGING LOBSTERMAN
Every Wednesday 5-7 p.m., at C-Ray Lobster
WEDNESDAY BOOK CLUBS
Northeast Harbor Library
Love reading? Join us for Readers Unite! Reading Club. This will be an opportunity to read together, share books we love, and have quiet independent reading time. Grades 3 and up are welcome. Come every week, or pop in anytime! Link to register is here.
Somesville Library
SOUTHWEST HARBOR
GIRLS WHO CODE
GUIDED MEDITATION
CHRONICLES OF YARNIA
BLOCK PARTY!
Baby Storytime at Southwest Harbor
10:00 a.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Stories, songs, rhymes, bubbles. www.swhplibrary.org. 207-244-7065.
Library hours 9-5, Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., 9-8 Wed., 9-1 Sat.
Wednesday events via the Chamber:
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14
Concert for Climate with Sydney Patten and David Kunhardt
MODERATED FORUM
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON!
St. Saviour's Folk Music Series Presents Ryan Miller!
PINTS FOR PURPOSE
PICK-UP SOCCER!
STITCHES KNITTING AND CROCHET GROUP!
Stitches Knitting & Crochet Group meets on Thursdays from 3-5 p.m. at the Trenton Town Office. The town office is located at 59 Oak Point Road, Trenton, ME 04605. We will meet through mid-May, then take a break for the summer. All levels are welcome. Please join us. You don’t have to live in Trenton to come knit with us.
FIGURE DRAWING AT ARTWAVES
Thursday events via the Chamber:
FRIDAY, AUGUST 15
ON MEDIA AND TYRANNY
SARA JONES
FRIDAY NIGHT DANCE PARTY!
SOUTHWEST HARBOR FARMER’S MARKET!
We are opening Friday, June 13. Market runs every Friday until Oct 3, 2025.
315 Main Street, Southwest Harbor
9-12:30 p.m.
FUN FRIDAY AT THE JESUP!
FAMILY STORY TIME AT SOUTHWEST HARBOR
10:00 a.m. Southwest Harbor Public Library. Interactive books, puppets, songs, movements, bubbles.
Library hours 9-5, Mon., Tue., Thu., Fri., 9-8 Wed., 9-1 Sat.
Friday events via the Chamber:
SATURDAY, AUGUST 16
AUGUST 16 - JESUP MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOOKSALE!
BAR HARBOR—The Jesup Memorial Library 55th Annual Booksale will take place on Saturday, August 16 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. The Jesup Booksale is a long-standing community event that provides significant support for the library.
AUGUST 16 - CRAFT FAIR
TRENTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT’S Pass the Syrup—and Learn to PASS a Fire Extinguisher!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 16—the TVFD Pancake Breakfast is back and better than ever!
Time: 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Fire Extinguisher Training: Held at 7:30 AM, 8:30 AM, and 9:30 AM
Enjoy a delicious breakfast with your neighbors and get hands-on with fire safety! We’re offering fire extinguisher training using the PASS method. PASS is an easy-to-remember acronym that outlines the four basic steps for using a fire extinguisher effectively in an emergency.
So come on down, pass the pancakes, and PASS the knowledge!
We’re excited to see you there and build a safer, stronger community together.
AUGUST 16 - CHRIS THILE
All Aboard for Family Fun!
Touch-a-Train Returns to Ellsworth on August 16
ELLSWORTH—The Downeast Scenic Railroad and New England Steam Corporation are thrilled to welcome families back for the much-anticipated Touch-a-Train event on Saturday, August 16, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Washington Junction rail yard.
This hands-on celebration of Maine’s railroad heritage invites train lovers of all ages to climb aboard locomotives, explore vintage rail cars, and meet the engineers and volunteers who help keep the Downeast Scenic Railroad rolling. Guests can check out the conductor’s cab, operate the horn, and take in the sights and sounds of classic trains up close.
Free caboose and track car rides will be offered throughout the morning, along with free guided tours of the historic Maine Central 470 steam locomotive, currently under restoration by the New England Steam Corporation.
New this year: Revolution Rail Company will be on site offering rail bike demonstrations, giving visitors a chance to see their unique pedal-powered vehicles in action along the Downeast Scenic Railroad line.
The fun continues on board with two special train rides:
10:30 am — Junior Engineer Excursion: A one-hour, family-friendly ride offered at a special reduced rate, perfect for young train lovers.
1:30 pm — Full-Length Scenic Ride: A standard fare excursion offering a relaxing journey through the woods and wetlands of Hancock County.
Admission to Touch-a-Train is free, and donations are welcome to support the preservation of Maine’s railroad history. Proceeds from train rides benefit the nonprofit Downeast Rail Heritage Preservation Trust, which operates the Downeast Scenic Railroad.
To learn more or reserve tickets, visit www.downeastscenicrail.org.
SATURDAY STORY TIMES
NORTHEAST HARBOR
SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!
PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP
Saturday events via the Chamber:
SUNDAY, AUGUST 17
TRENTON CHEERLEADING FALL TEAM
AUGUST 17 - NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY
Bingo Sundays at the Links Pub
The Links Pub is at 136 Eagle Lake Road, Bar Harbor.
6-8 pm for Bingo at The Links Pub!
All games are free. There will be prizes each round.
Full food and drink menu will be available until 8 pm.
Bar Harbor’s Farmers' Market!
Sunday, 9-12, at the Bar Harbor YMCA parking lot. May 11 - October 26.
KIDS CHESS CLUB AT CHOCO-LATTE
Our chess club is great for beginners (at least know how the pieces move) and also intermediate level. All are welcome. We meet most Sundays from 4-5:30 p.m. at Choco-latte in Bar Harbor.
Move Free Run Club
BAR HARBOR—The runs take place every week of the year and meet Tuesdays at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte.
The Move Free Run Club (Acadia Chapter) meets every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. from the Bar Harbor Village Green and every Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m. from Choco Latte! Hope to meet more members of the community!
Sunday events via the Chamber:
FUTURE EVENTS!
AUGUST 18 FLASH IN THE PANS BENEFIT FOR THE BAR HARBRO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
AUGUST 18 MILAGRO NOCHE
AUGUST 19 - THE ROAD TO RECOVERY
AUGUST 19 - Assembling the Mount Desert Island Geology Puzzle with Duane and Ruth Braun
AUGUST 20- SOLO JAZZ PIANO
AUGUST 20 BAR HARBOR FOOD PANTRY HOUSEWARMING
AUGUST 20- GARDINER HARRIS
AUGUST 20 - WITBIT POOL OBSTACLE COURSE
AUGUST 21 - Author Event for North Woods at Night Anthology
AUGUST 21 - THE SUNBEAM AWARD GALA!
PINTS FOR A PURPOSE
AUGUST 22 PINK TALKING FISH
AUGUST 23 - CONTRADANCE
AUGUST 23 — DOWNEAST SUNRISE TRAIL ROLLER COASTER GRAVEL RIDE
AUGUST 23 - ORLEANS QUARTET
AUGUST 27 - ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL
PINTS FOR A PURPOSE
AUGUST 28 - BARRINGTON LEVY
AUGUST 29 - MAMMA MANIA
AUGUST 29 CHRISTINA BAKER KLINE AND ANNE BURT
AUGUST 30 CRAFT FAIR
SEPTEMBER 3- LAWRENCE SCHULMAN
SEPTEMBER 20 SOLO PIANO WITH DR. DONNA COLEMAN
SEPTEMBER 22-STARS THEATRE WITH PURPOSE
SEPTEMBER 7 - BRUNCH AT THE BAR HARBOR INN
BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Inn is delighted to announce the return of its celebrated Sunday Brunch at the Reading Room Restaurant. This signature buffet brunch will be available on the first Sunday of each month through November, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Guests are invited to indulge in a sumptuous spread of seasonal favorites, meticulously crafted by our culinary team. Set against the backdrop of panoramic ocean views, the brunch offers an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of coastal Maine.
Brunch Details:
When: First Sunday of each month, May through November
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Location: Reading Room Restaurant, Bar Harbor Inn
Pricing: $52 for adults | $25 for children
Reservations can be made by calling (207) 288-3351.
SEPTEMBER 13 -14 CRAFT FAIR
SEPTEMBER 13 - LIVINGSTON TAYLOR
LUNCH BENEFIT
OCTOBER 11-12 CRAFT FAIR!
OCTOBER 24- TUSK
ONGOING:
GET YOUR HERO ON!
BAR HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT
To check if Bar Harbor Fire Department is currently hiring, please go to the town’s jobs page.
But even if it isn’t, you can become a call member.
Becoming a call force firefighter requires extensive training, hard work, and dedication to the community. We rely on call force firefighters to respond quickly to emergencies, to perform firefighting duties, and to provide assistance and support to career firefighters. To be a fall force firefighter is to have a chance to aid and serve the community, which is an extremely rewarding experience.
QUICK NOTE
“Things To Do” is mostly curated by me looking for things happening in the upcoming week, which takes a lot of time and I truly do not know all that is going on.
If there’s something in MDI or Trenton that you’d like me to mention, please let me know, because I’m definitely always missing some events every week.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here.
Follow us on Facebook. And as a reminder, you can easily view all our past stories and press releases here.
If you’d like to donate to help support us, you can, but no pressure! Just click here.
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THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING OUR COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY
So comprehensive! Thank you, Carrie!