Community Moments Across MDI Mark the Start of the Season
Events, news

Community Moments Across MDI Mark the Start of the Season

Carrie Jones

May 19, 2026

Three women smiling together at an event, with one wearing a blue shirt and name tag, the second wearing a dark shirt and glasses, and the third in a blue cardigan.

The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by the Maine Seacoast Mission.

Banner promoting donations to the Maine Seacoast Mission, featuring the text 'Be an Anchor for Maine Seacoast Mission' and encouraging monthly contributions to support their work on Maine islands and the Downeast coast.

MOUNT DESERT ISLAND—From a crowded farmers market to youth ballfields and blooming gardens, Mount Desert Island residents and visitors found plenty of reasons to gather last week.

Across the island, community life unfolded in small, shared moments from morning through evening.

Community life played out in markets, gardens, ballfields, breweries, and waterfront benches. From long-standing traditions to casual summer rituals, residents and visitors gathered in ways both planned and spontaneous.

Together, the week’s gatherings highlighted the variety of ways people connect across the island — from Community Threads at the Bar Harbor Historical Society to Open Farm Day at Willowind, a Chamber event hosted by the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce at Atlantic Brewing Midtown featuring Friends of Acadia, and the Cultural Fusion Fest at the YWCA MDI sponsored by Healthy Acadia.

Whether strolling through the Asticou Azalea Garden, watching boats along the Northeast Harbor Waterfront with lunch from Colonel’s Deli and Bakery, or cheering games hosted by Acadia Youth Sports, the events offered a snapshot of early-season life on Mount Desert Island.

The CAT has begun its trips to Canada. The Island Explorer is gearing up. The Acadia Gateway Center is opening. Spring sports are in full swing. Seasonal hotels, restaurants, and businesses are opening their doors. Town meetings are almost over. Candidates are elected or about to be. Prom happened and school years are coming to an end.

We’ve gathered some photos to share of multiple places we were lucky enough to stop at this week. We hope you have some good adventures, too.

TREMONT TOWN MEETING

Tremont held its town meeting, elected officials, and approved a deer hunt in town, which still needs to be approved by the state and supported the town’s share of a potential grant for a new public safety building.

A woman smiling while standing at a podium labeled 'Town Meeting Moderator' with the emblem of the Town of Tremont, Maine in the background.
A public meeting with attendees raising yellow cards for voting or expression, seated in rows facing a panel of speakers at a table, with a banner in the background.
A middle-aged man with a beard, wearing a plaid shirt, sitting at a table with papers and a pen, appearing focused and writing.

NORTHEAST HARBOR AND THE ASTICOU AZALEA GARDENS

The gardens are open May 2 through November 1 this year, every day, from dawn to dusk. It’s at 3 Sound Drive in Northeast Harbor. Part of the Land and Garden Preserves, its website states, “Located in Northeast Harbor, the beauty of Asticou changes and evolves throughout the year. A flowering cherry tree heralds the start of the season in mid-May. This is followed by a myriad of colorful azaleas and rhododendrons which bloom from late May through June. July blooms include Japanese iris, smoke bush, rosebay rhododendron, and the fragrant sweet azalea. August is a peaceful time accented by blooming water lilies and in September and October the garden is ablaze with fall colors.”

Map & Directions

A hamburger with lettuce, tomato, and salmon, served with a side of sweet potato fries, against a backdrop of a marina and mountains.
A wooden sign titled 'The Sand Garden' with a description, surrounded by lush greenery, and a person interacting with the garden in the background.
A close-up of vibrant purple flowers on a bush with a clear blue sky and a distant tree in the background.
A serene garden path curving through lush grass and blooming foliage, featuring a close-up of a mossy rock with green ferns in the foreground.
Close-up of white flowers with ruffled petals nestled among green leaves, featuring scattered pink flower petals on the ground.
Lush greenery and ferns in a tranquil garden setting with a sandy pathway and blurred foliage in the background.

JORDAN POND HOUSE SOFT OPENING

The soft opening at the Jordan Pond House in Acadia National Park also served as a small fundraiser for Friends of Acadia and a way to thank its volunteers.

Two women smiling behind a table with a "Friends of Acadia" sign, surrounded by promotional materials and a donation jar.
Two freshly baked popovers on a plate, accompanied by a small dish of butter and a cup of jelly, with a menu featuring the Jordan Pond House logo in the foreground.
Above photos from Constance Millinor

HADLEY POINT CLEAN-UP IN BAR HARBOR

Members of the Bar Harbor Marine Resource Committee, Mount Desert Island high school staff and students, and employees (and owners) of Hollander & de Koning and the Bar Harbor Oyster Company, helped clean up Bar Harbor’s Hadley Point this past week.

Person raking seaweed on a beach with rocky coastline in the background.
Group of four young people cleaning and raking seaweed from a beach area, surrounded by trees and natural scenery.
A worker operating an orange Kubota tractor on a gravel beach, scooping up seaweed while another person stands nearby with a pitchfork.

BAR HARBOR TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM

A panel discussion featuring five speakers seated at a table in a warmly lit room with wooden interiors. The audience is partially visible, focused on the speakers. The speakers include a man speaking into a microphone, with others attentively listening.

The League of Women Voters, Mount Desert Islander and Bar Harbor Story combined to bring Bar Harbor Town Council candidates to the Jesup Memorial Library for a forum.

CULTURAL FUSION AT THE YWCA OF MDI, SPONSORED BY HEALTHY ACADIA

The event was organized by Bar Harbor Food Pantry, Healthy Acadia, Island Take Out, Pat’s Pizza, Witham Family Hotels, and YWCA Mount Desert Island. Sponsors include Café This Way, Friends of Acadia, Galyn’s Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island Hospital, Nor’easter Pound & Market, Ocean Properties, Pathmaker Hotel, Royal Indian, YWCA Mount Desert Island, Y&P Taxi Services, and others.

According to organizers, “Designed as a vibrant cultural exchange, the event will highlight Jamaican and Caribbean culture through food, music, and interactive activities. Live music will be provided by Stream Reggae, a Maine-based band featuring members from Dominica and Jamaica. Attendees can also enjoy hands-on activities, including opportunities to learn and play dominoes and other popular Caribbean games.”

A man wearing a light blue GAP t-shirt and headphones is sitting at a music mixing desk, smiling and giving a thumbs-up. The setup includes a laptop and sound mixer, with various cables visible.
Two men smiling and engaging in conversation indoors, with a vintage-style wall and decor in the background.
Two women sitting at a blue table, smiling at the camera. One woman has long dark hair and glasses, wearing a striped blouse, while the other has curly dark hair and is wearing a brown polka-dot top. There are smartphones and informational materials on the table.
A man with a beard wearing glasses and a yellow safety vest stands indoors, holding a clear cup. The background features wooden walls and a table with drinks and food.
A smiling female server in a black shirt stands behind a buffet table with steaming dishes, while two other people, one in a black sweater and the other in a brown jacket, are beside her.
An elderly woman in a black sweater and glasses is serving food from a chafing dish, while a woman in the background watches. The scene is set in a cozy indoor environment with a vintage decor.

BAR HARBOR HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S COMMUNITY THREADS

Community Threads is Bar Harbor Historical Society’s “For the People by the People” pop-up exhibit of local historic and contemporary textiles. This year’s Community Threads event was free and open to the public.

The museum opens for the season on May 26. It’s open late May to the last Saturday in October, from Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 2 pm.

A cream-colored blouse with floral embroidery displayed on a mannequin, set against a blue wall, accompanied by a yellow informational plaque.
A handcrafted knitted gnome in a red sweater with a gray hat, displayed in a glass case at an exhibition. In the background, there is a colorful figurine and a large window.
A colorful beaded necklace displayed on a black bust, featuring various gemstones like carnelian, onyx, turquoise, peridot, jade, and freshwater pearls, with an information plaque indicating it was made by Leslie Jones.
A framed needle felted portrait of a man smoking, displayed above a textile artwork featuring various natural elements, swirls, and a button detail. Below is an explanatory text about the artworks and their creators.
A crafting table with various colored yarn balls, a pair of scissors, and a project involving friendship bracelet making. Two yellow pencils are used to hold the yarn in place on a white folder labeled 'Friendship Bracelet'.
A colorful handcrafted doll displayed in a glass case, featuring intricate details such as varied textures in clothing and a cheerful expression.
A row of rolled fabric samples displayed on a wooden table, featuring various colors and patterns.
A wall display featuring black-and-white portraits of various individuals arranged in a grid pattern, with a camouflage background and yellow ribbons.
A black and white image of a woman speaking, possibly a news anchor, with text stating 'THE CHILDREN' and a depiction of the American flag, along with a blue banner reading 'RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC SPEECH SINCE 1988.'
A colorful, intricately crocheted garment displayed on a mannequin seated in a well-lit room, with a decorative fireplace in the background.

BAR HARBOR EDEN’S FARMERS’ MARKET

What a better way to celebrate the start of warmer weather in Maine than attending your favorite farmers market!

Every Sunday. 9 a.m. – noon

21 Park St, Bar Harbor

A collection of vibrant spring flowers, including yellow tulips, red tulips, and various other colorful blooms, arranged in a wire basket with glass jars.
A market stall featuring a table with bags of products displayed in a row, while a vendor is preparing items in the background under a tent.
A vibrant display of colorful flower arrangements in black pots at a market stall.
A decorative wooden display box with red interior holding various types of candies wrapped in brown paper and cardboard containers. The outside features colorful illustrations, including a dinosaur, with a sign that reads 'Display Only! Please don’t eat :)'.
A wooden crate filled with several bottles of maple syrup, arranged in a grid pattern. The bottles are dark glass with labels partially visible.

Unless otherwise cited, all photos: Carrie Jones/Shaun Farrar/Bar Harbor Story.

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