And in the near future.
Sep 02, 2025
The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Window Panes Home and Garden.
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.
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.
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 for the season.
“20th Century America through Music”
Flute music of Piston, Copland, Barber, Capers, Coleman with Allison Kiger
Sun Oct 12, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
St. Saviour’s Episcopal Church
41 Mt Desert St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609
Compositions often contain rich insights about the era in which they were written. The experience of being an American in the 20th Century is revealed through great works by Walter Piston, Samuel Barber, Aaron Copland, Valerie Capers, and “Portraits of Langston” by Valerie Coleman. Allison Kiger, flute, Eric Thomas, clarinet, and Christina Spurling, piano. With a world premiere tribute to Allan Kleinman by Eric Thomas.
BEECH HILL FARM
CHANGE FROM THE IMAGE: THE SOULBENDERS ARE NOW ON SEPTEMBER 25!
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.
Show Schedule
- 9/13 Livingston Taylor
- 10/10 Rhett Miller supported by Toby McAllister
- 10/11 Steve Earle Solo
- 10/24 TUSK: The Classic Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
- 12/6 Eli Young Band
THE CYGNET GALLERY
For a list of events, click through here.
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
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
There are no longer BINGO SUNDAYS for the rest of the season.
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 next event is September 6.
Journey to Southwest Harbor, Willis “Bill” Ballard. Meet his grandson Rob Michael. Manset Meetinghouse, 192 Seawall Rd. Saturday September 6, 2025 at 4 PM. Open to the public. Known for his photography of MDI.
SOUTHWEST HARBOR LIBRARY
A list of events is here.
St. SAVIOUR’S FOLK MUSIC SERIES AND MUSEUM
The church’s museum is in the rectory and open on Tuesdays.
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!
September Exhibit at the Northeast Harbor Library, “As I See It,” paintings by Sue Aripotch
This September the Northeast Harbor Library will feature paintings by local artist Sue Aripotch to the Mellon Room for an exhibit entitled “As I See It.” Aripotch will display her bold, colorful paintings from September 1-30 at the library.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
PERFORMANCE
CRANE FOLDING
PIES FOR PROGRESS
STORY AND PLAY
TRIVIA AT THE LINKS
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, SEPTEMBER 3
SEPTEMBER 3- LAWRENCE SCHULMAN
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, SEPTEMBER 4
SEPTEMBER 4 – League of Women Voters: Local Government in Maine
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30p.m.
COMMUNITY CIRCLE
SEPTEMBER 4 – 29 ART SHOWS OF JUNIPER WITKOWSKI and VICKY SMITH
PINTS FOR A PURPOSE
Gather around the fireplace, sip a beer, and hear stories about the history and future of Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island.
This week’s speaker is naturalist and expert birder Rich MacDonald, who will be discussing climate change and the birds of MDI.
This free series is co-hosted by Friends of Acadia & Terramor Outdoor Resort. All are welcome to attend and $1 of every beer purchased benefits Friends of Acadia!
5-6:30 p.m.
St. Saviour’s Folk Music Series Presents Brian Kupiec
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:
- 2025 YOGA BY the BAY
- Figure Drawing
- Thursday , September 4th 3:00 to 5:00pm 75.00 MAPAS, appetizers with a Maine twist
- Sunbeam Open House in Northeast Harbor
- Handheld Weaving and Natural Dyeing
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 5
FUN FRIDAY AT THE JESUP!
TRENTON GRANGE POTLUCK!
Free Community Pot Luck! Bring a dish to share and your appetite. Feel free to bring your own utensils/dishes. Any donations will go directly to the grange for heat and electricity. Hope to see you there! 5-7 p.m.
No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang from the Nascar Cup Series
Event by Edwards Brothers Supermarkets Trenton
1007 Bar Harbor Road
Come see the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang from the Nascar Cup Series on Friday September 5th from 10 am-3 pm.
This chassis and engine have both been on the track and the car still runs and drives. While your there, try out the racing simulator pods to see if you can set the fastest lap time.
Learn more at www.shell.us
WALK ABOARD SUNBEAM
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.
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:
- 2025 YOGA BY the BAY
- Bar Harbor Fine Arts Festival II
- MAPAS, appetizers with a Maine twist
- Paint ‘n’ Sip: The Wave in Ink & Watercolor
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 6
September 6 – Downeast Folkdancers and Kotwica!
Dance to the intricate rhythms and beautiful harmonies of international folk music with the Downeast Folkdancers, September April 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the YWCA 36, Mt. Desert Street, Bar Harbor. Music and dance teaching by the Kotwica Band. No experience and no partner is needed. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information visit
and https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553848505788
SEPTEMBER 6 – INVASIVE PLANTS WORKSHOP
International One Design World Sailing Championship Returns to Maine Waters
September 6-12, 2025 | off Northeast Harbor, Mount Desert Island
NORTHEAST HARBOR—This event brings together sailors from all over the world, including Bermuda, Norway, Canada and various American fleets, to race against each other in beautiful antique racing sloops.
Twelve of the original 14 IODs delivered to Northeast Harbor in 1938 still race each summer; the boats have storied pasts. For example, number 5, now named Tundra, was once called the Queen Mary and was raced by Nelson Rockefeller.
The Northeast Harbor Fleet, which is running September’s Worlds championship, has produced a disproportionate number of elite sailors. Several IOD sailors from this fleet have won America’s Cup campaigns, and some have raced in the Olympics or are preparing to do so.
Willis “Bill” Ballard’s Journey to Southwest Harbor
4 p.m. at 192 Seawall Rd, Southwest Harbor
The Southwest Historical Society presents Rob Michael, Ballard’s grandson, speaking of Bill Ballard’s journey.
SATURDAY STORY TIMES
NORTHEAST HARBOR
SATURDAYS! BABY AND ME YOGA!
PRAYER SHAWL MISSION GROUP
Saturday events via the Chamber:
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7
SEPTEMBER 7 – ANNIVERSARY PARTY FOR FROST FARMS
SEPTEMBER 7 – FOOD SECURITY
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.
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!
SEPTEMBER 10 – “What Happened to Civics Class?” at the Northeast Harbor Library
NORTHEAST HARBOR—Join the MDI Historical Society at 5:30 p.m. on September 10 at the Northeast Harbor Library for “What Happened to Civics Class?” an interactive in-person discussion about what we learned in civics class as kids, what students are learning about civics today, and what type of civic education we need to strengthen our democracy in the future. We encourage teachers, parents and current students to attend and be part of the conversation.
Civics educator and consultant Dan Sigward, MDI Historical Society intern and researcher Sabrina Calas, and Rebecca Taplin of Pathways to Restorative Communities will lead and participate in this highly interactive session to share insights on the nation’s current state of civic education and the trends that point toward the future.
This program is a collaboration between the Northeast Harbor Library and the Mount Desert Island Historical Society. It will be offered in person. To register, go to https://mdihistory.org/events
Dan Sigward is an independent educational consultant with expertise in developing curricula that help young people build the historical understanding and civic skills necessary to sustain our democracy. He specializes in creating curricula that examine the individual and collective choices people made during pivotal moments in history and our contemporary civic life. A former middle school social studies teacher, Dan worked at Facing History & Ourselves for over ten years, where he researched, wrote, and edited classroom resources that covered the history of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, the Reconstruction Era in the United States, the Civil Rights Movement, and various other topics. As a consultant, he has collaborated with numerous organizations—including StoryCorps, PBS Learning Media, Literacy Design Collaborative, the Fred T. Korematsu Institute, and others—that are committed to inspiring young people to become knowledgeable, active, and engaged citizens.
SEPTEMBER 11 MDIXC RELAY RUN FOR EVERYONE
SEPTEMBER 11 – Reading the Village – Town Planning Lessons from Jesup’s Bar Harbor
SEPTEMBER 12 – CONTEMPORARY ACOUSTIC MUSIC
SEPTEMBER 13 – STORY AND CRAFT
SEPTEMBER 13 – TREMONT FIRST RESPONDERS DAY
SEPTEMBER 13 -14 CRAFT FAIR
SEPTEMBER 13 – LIVINGSTON TAYLOR
SEPTEMBER 14 – Sunset Cruise to Benefit the SPCA of Hancock County
Enjoy a two-hour sunset cruise while supporting the animals at the SPCA of Hancock County’s animal shelter.
The SPCA Critter Cruise will be held on Sunday, September 14, aboard Acadian Boat Tour’s 149-passenger vessel, the Acadian, and includes a Happy Hour hors d’oeuvres, raffles and a cash bar, with all proceeds benefitting the animals. Tickets for the cruise are $75 each. Please note that animals are not permitted on the cruise.
The cruise will depart at 5 p.m. sharp from the Atlantic Oceanside Hotel dock at 119 Eden St., Bar Harbor. Guests are encouraged to dress warmly and to arrive 20 to 30 minutes prior to departure to allow time to park and board the boat. Guests are required to check in at the ticket booth at 119 Eden St. to ensure the captain and crew have an accurate count of cruisers.
The Acadian will go along the shoreline of Bar Harbor and will include views of the summer mansions, Egg Rock Lighthouse, seals, harbor porpoise, seals and eagles. An Acadian Boat Tours experience naturalist will narrate the tour with history and anecdotes. The boat will stop in the bay during the last portion of the cruise to watch the sunset just before 7 p.m.
The cruise is being held rain or shine. It will only be postponed at the captain’s discretion in the event of severe wind or fog.
The event is being presented by Bar Harbor Bank & Trust with support from Acadian Boat Tours and Atlantic Oceanside Hotel.
Tickets may be purchased online spcahancockcounty.org/donations/critter-cruise-tickets/
SEPTEMBER 14 Salon Holds Cut-a-Thon to raise funds for the SPCA
Stylists at the popular Alchemist Salon are hosting a Cut-a-Thon from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, September 14.
All of the proceeds will benefit the SPCA of Hancock County.
Appointments can be made online at http://booking.mangomint.com/thealchemistsalon1
The Alchemist Salon is located at 121 Main St., Ellsworth.
Founded in 1911, the SPCA of Hancock County is a non-profit animal welfare organization that operates a no-kill shelter in Trenton.
For more information, contact Mariah Donovan at 207-667-8088 or mariah.d@spcahancockcounty.org
SEPTEMBER 18 – ASHLEY BRYAN LECTURE WITH ANTHONY WALTON
SEPTEMBER 20 SOLO PIANO WITH DR. DONNA COLEMAN
SEPTEMBER 22-STARS THEATRE WITH PURPOSE
SEPTEMBER 19 – HISTORY HAPPY HOUR!
NORTHEAST HARBOR—Are you a master of historical trivia, a fan of fantastic stories, or a novice know-it-all? Join us at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, September 19 at 5:30 pm at the Nor’Easter, 10 Huntington Rd, Northeast Harbor, for the MDI Historical Society’s September History Happy Hour.
This month’s event will challenge you to 4 rounds of food and dining-related trivia, testing your knowledge of MDI’s historic menus and recipes, public suppers, foraging, dining, and much more. Review the 2025 edition of our history journal,Chebacco, to get a leg up on the competition!
Gather over good eats and good times while putting your knowledge to the test. All ages are welcome! Admission is free. Food and drink will be available for purchase.
Please register at:https://forms.gle/mFtz8aojKKdTKbdd7
SEPTEMBER 24 – AUTHOR TALK ROBERT NICKELSBERG
SEPTEMBER 25 – HAUNTED BAR HARBOR
SEPTEMBER 26—ABBE ANNUAL MEETING!
OCTOBER 1 – LUNCH BENEFIT FOR ALLIED WHALE
OCTOBER 1 – AUTHOR TALK GAIL CLEVELAND
OCTOBER 3
OCTOBER 4
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.
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