Local Voices. Local Choices.
Meet The Candidates expands this year!
Meet the Candidates returns this month with two opportunities to connect with the people seeking to serve Ellsworth. This year, we’re expanding beyond our annual City Council forum to include School Board and Library Trustees candidates, helping residents learn more about the people whose decisions shape everyday life in our community.
Join us at The Grand on Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30PM for the City Council candidate forum, moderated by Cyndi Wood of The Ellsworth American. Hear candidates respond to questions about local issues and their vision for Ellsworth. Submit questions in advance to news@ellsworthamerican.com. Can’t attend? Watch live or catch the recording on the City of Ellsworth’s YouTube channel.
Then, join us at Ellsworth Public Library on Wednesday, October 21 from 5–6PM for a School Board and Library Trustees meet and greet. This informal gathering offers time to introduce yourself, ask questions directly and hear candidates’ perspectives on the future of our schools and library.
You've Been Asking. Tasting Tickets Go on Sale Oct. 10!
Ready to make your Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival plans? On October 10, we’ll share the full event lineup and open ticket sales for two tasting experiences on Saturday, November 14.
Beyond the tastings, we’re planning a downtown Cider Crawl, a talk exploring local apple and cider history, live music and a free, family-friendly market at Woodlawn. With the main festival events November 13–14 and activities leading up to the weekend, there’s plenty to look forward to.
All event details and tasting ticket links will be available on the Heart of Ellsworth website October 10. Seats are limited, so mark your calendar and gather your cider-and-cheese crew!
Something Spooky is Lighting the Riverwalk This Halloween...
The Pumpkin Hike returns to the Ellsworth Riverwalk Trail this October, and we’re joining Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Ellsworth Public Library to bring this community celebration to life! Stop by the Grand Opening & Lighting on Wednesday, October 28, from 5–7PM to walk the jack-o’-lantern-lit trail, show off your favorite seasonal outfit or costume and vote for your favorite pumpkins. The display will remain open through the evening of Sunday, November 1.
Want to see your own creation along the trail? Join FBC for free pumpkin carving at Tidal Falls Preserve in Hancock on Sunday, October 25, from 1–4PM, with festive snacks and music. Pumpkins are provided but limited, so reserve yours in advance. You can also carve a pumpkin at home, register it through FBC’s website and drop it off at the Riverwalk Trail Kiosk on Tuesday, October 27, with your name and phone number written on it in permanent marker.
Visitors’ votes will help select the carving contest winners, who will be announced during the first week of November and receive prizes donated by local Ellsworth businesses. Whether you carve, stroll or cheer on your favorites, we hope you’ll join us!
Our holiday marketplace is taking a new shape! This year, we’re transforming the gallery at 16 State into a curated, month-long holiday shop featuring locally made art and handcrafted goods. Planned for November 24–December 24, the shop will give your work a downtown home for the holiday season.
You provide the inventory, and we handle the displays and sales, leaving you free to attend other markets or focus on your business without staffing a booth. Makers retain 60% of their sales, with limited opportunities to retain 70% by completing at least three five-hour shop shifts, helping customers discover work from all participating makers.
Interested? Complete our interest form by October 31 to tell us about your work! We’re gathering interest as we finalize the details. Submitting the form does not commit you to participating or guarantee a space.
Before a sculpture becomes part of our landscape, an extraordinary amount of work takes place. Our current exhibition, Process to Public Sculpture, offers a closer look through artists’ sketches, models, photographs, CAD renderings and proposals. Discover how ideas evolve as artists consider materials, engineering, installation and the places their work will call home.
The exhibition also connects to the developing Union River Sculpture Trail, a collaboration among Heart of Ellsworth, Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium, Frenchman Bay Conservancy and the City of Ellsworth. Visit us at 16 State through October 23 to explore the creative process and imagine the future of public art along the river.
There’s still time to join Handbuilding I with Jade Thayer! Spots are available in the four remaining Wednesday workshops, and each class is designed to stand on its own. Whether you’re new to clay or returning for another project, you can choose the sessions that fit your interests and schedule.
Create a garden sculpture on October 7, build a mug on October 14, explore ceramic basket-making on October 21 or shape a bud vase on October 28. Along the way, you’ll learn techniques for shaping, joining and decorating clay while making something uniquely yours. Classes begin at 5:30PM at 16 State Street, with materials included. Open to ages 12 and up.
As autumn gives way to winter, our next exhibition invites us to slow down, look closely and consider how we nurture nature and how nature nurtures us. hARTrocks — Makers & Mentors 2026: Nurturing Nature draws inspiration from Downeast Maine’s landscapes, the changing season and traditions of gathering and making to explore our connections to place, one another and the creative process. The exhibition features hARTrocks, a collective of Downeast Maine arts educators whose work celebrates creativity, collaboration and mentorship.
Join us for the free opening reception on Thursday, October 29, from 5–7PM at 16 State Street to meet the artists and educators helping inspire the next generation of makers.
The exhibition will remain on view through November 20.
Totally Rad 80's Hour Countdown With Mike Dow On Star 97.7
Every Saturday at 8am and Sunday at 6pm
Each week, Mike focuses on a date from the decade and counts down that week's biggest hits!
The FamilySearch Affiliate Library designation means that EPL patrons and guests will now have greater and more convenient access to the wealth of genealogical resources available through FamilySearch, a world leader in family history. The popular web service has over 13 billion searchable names and 6 billion viewable images of historical genealogical records.
Healthy Acadia recently brought longtime supporters, partners and new friends together at TunkJoy Bakery in Steuben to celebrate its 25th year with good food, music and the unveiling of its Art for Health & Hope installation. There’s still more to come! Explore upcoming anniversary activities and ways to join in as Healthy Acadia looks ahead to the next 25 years.
October 9th–11th, 15th–18th & 23rd–25th Thursday, Friday & Saturday performances at 7PM; Sundays at 2PM
Favorite fairy-tale characters cross paths in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning musical on the Stanley Subaru Stage. Follow a Baker and his wife, Cinderella and Jack as their wishes lead them into the woods. Sponsored by First National Bank.
165 Main Street $28 Adults, $25 Early Birds/Grand Members, $15 Students (17&under) TICKETS
Pumpkins, Prosecco & Pearls Girls Night
Friday, October 16th
5:30PM
Gather your friends for a girls’ night of fall crafting at Sunday Society! Decorate a white pumpkin with adhesive pearls for a chic seasonal accent to take home. Shannon will also be offering tooth gems from 6PM to 6:45PM.
Provender’s annual Hell Night returns with a Mexican-inspired menu featuring some of the world’s hottest peppers. Expect bold flavors, fiery dishes and a few surprises along the way. Reservations are now open!
Roast Turkey Supper at First Congregational Church
Saturday, October 24th
5PM - 6:30PM
Join the First Congregational Church of Ellsworth, UCC, for a roast turkey supper with mashed potatoes, glazed squash, peas, salad, rolls, homemade pies and beverages. All are welcome, and the church is wheelchair accessible.
2 Church Street $12 Per Person, $25 Per Family (2 adults, 2 kids)
FMI: Call Lois at (207)669-2028
Be in the know about road closures, parking information and more by following updates from City Hall on their website. Attend and/or watch City Council Meetings by following their YouTube channel as well!
As we continue developing the space, planning workshops, gallery opportunities, rentals, and creative community programming, we invite you to follow along.
For all things Makerspace and most current updates, follow on social media.
Many of you have told us how much downtown Ellsworth means to you, how a vibrant downtown has enriched your life and increased your sense of pride and connection to this place.
Your support of economic growth through projects in the downtown district is what makes our work possible. We are asking for your help to sustain our work year-round. Your generosity will keep the Heart of Ellsworth beating strong.
