The Maine Outdoor Film Festival returns to Ellsworth this year at Knowlton Park on Wednesday, August 26!
Come by beginning at 6 p.m. to grab dinner, explore partner tables and enter the event raffle before the film program begins at 7:30 p.m. A portion of raffle proceeds will support the Grayson Mote Memorial Scholarship at Ellsworth High School.
The Downeast Cider + Cheese Festival returns this November, beginning a new chapter through a partnership between Heart of Ellsworth and Woodlawn.
Plans include familiar festival offerings alongside a few new twists. The main events will take place Friday, November 13 and Saturday, November 14, with activities beginning in the days leading up to the weekend.
Mark your calendar now, and stay tuned for this year’s full festival lineup!
Our new Amazon Donation Wishlist makes it easy to support the practical, behind-the-scenes needs that keep Heart of Ellsworth moving. From office and building essentials to supplies used at community events, every item helps strengthen our day-to-day operations and allows more resources to go directly toward our work in downtown Ellsworth.
Our Promotion Committee enjoyed its July meeting in the Franklin Street Parklet so much that it may become our regular summer spot, weather permitting!
Promotion is one of four volunteer committees that guide Heart of Ellsworth’s work through the Main Street America approach. Committee members help shape the events, campaigns and initiatives that our staff plan, coordinate and carry forward year-round to support downtown Ellsworth.
Interested in learning more or joining us at an upcoming meeting? Explore our committees and get connected. We’ll save you a seat!
We are excited to share that Heart of Ellsworth has received a $25,000 grant through The Hartford Small Business Accelerator Grant Program, presented in partnership with Main Street America!
This funding will help us grow the Makerspace at 16 State Street as a small business accelerator for artists, makers and creative professionals. The grant will support more community workshops that create paid teaching opportunities, along with a new six-week Business of Craft program designed to help creative professionals build the practical skills behind a sustainable business.
We are proud to be one of six Main Street communities nationwide selected for this investment and cannot wait to share what comes next.
This Month's Exhibit is Presented in Partnership with the Frances Perkins Center
Beginning August 6, the gallery at 16 State will feature twelve portraits by Maine artist Robert Shetterly honoring women whose leadership, courage and creativity have shaped communities across Maine and beyond.
Join us for a free opening reception on Thursday, August 6, from 5–8 PM, and experience the exhibition through September 25 alongside a series of public programs exploring the many ways change takes shape.
Clay is taking over the classroom every Tuesday and Thursday this month, with new handbuilding projects each week, while two special pop-up workshops invite you to experiment with cyanotype printing on August 5 and sketch the natural details tucked into downtown Ellsworth on August 12 and 13.
One of Ellsworth’s favorite fall traditions returns this September! Hosted by the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, Autumn Gold brings the community together for a weekend filled with seasonal activities, local creativity and plenty of reasons to get out and enjoy Ellsworth.
The City of Ellsworth’s Downtown Summer Concert Series continues this month with free live music every Thursday evening at the Franklin Street Parklet.
August concerts are scheduled for August 6, 13, 20 and 27, bringing a new performance downtown each week. Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy the music, spend time in the heart of Ellsworth and make an evening of exploring nearby shops and restaurants.
Artsworth is seeking artists working in all mediums to submit work for display on its new gallery walls. Ode to a Goddess is an open-call exhibition and silent auction fundraiser celebrating the harvest season and exploring the divine feminine.
The Goddess archetype embodies the full spectrum of human experience, channeling inspiration, love, rage, creation, guidance, appreciation, nurturing, protection and fertility.
Stop by the library for the Friends' Summer Book Sale. You’ll find books and more for all ages and interests—available by donation unless otherwise marked (online payment now available!). ALL proceeds directly fund library programming, such as their Thursday Night Series. If you come on August 20, stay for the EPL Veggie Ball - a night of community dance and bluegrass music by Two Grass and Gabby Bell (funded by the Friends).
The Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library host seasonal book sales every year. Ellsworth Community Music Institute is a program partner for the Veggie Ball on August 20, at 6 PM.
Acadia Rising Brings Resilience-Focused Programming to Downeast
Acadia Rising is a new community-based initiative offering trauma-informed programs designed to support stress reduction, resilience, and overall well-being. With growing awareness of the impact of burnout and chronic stress on employees, Acadia Rising is developing workplace wellness programming to support healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, nonprofit teams, and community organizations.
Acadia Rising is seeking partnerships with Ellsworth-area businesses, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and community organizations interested in bringing restorative programming to their teams and communities. Their goal is to help cultivate healthier, more connected workplaces and community hubs throughout Downeast Maine.
Bangor Federal's Collecting School Supplies Through Aug. 21
In 2014, the Courageous Steps Project started the Back-To-School Drive with the goal of supporting children in need as they geared up to return to the classroom. They believe that no family or child should have to choose between food and school supplies, and they endeavor to eliminate that choice altogether. To accomplish that goal, the Courageous Steps Project works directly with area educators to ensure that students' needs are met to help support each child's education. Over a decade later, the supply drive is one of the longest running back-to-school programs in the region supporting thousands of children in dozens of schools. It's with this mission and these goals in mind that Bangor Federal has partnered with the Courageous Steps Project's Back-To-School-Drive, aiming to help the organization meet new contribution goals and expand aid to even more schools, and students, in our area.
Running until Friday, August 21st, all Bangor Federal Credit Union locations will act as drop-off points to aid the Courageous Steps Project in collecting, organizing, and distributing back-to-school supplies to area schools.
Frenchman Bay Conservancy Welcomes Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
Frenchman Bay Conservancy will welcome climate activist, marine biologist and bestselling author Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on August 24 for an evening centered on climate solutions and hope.
Presented in partnership with Rêve En Vert, the program will feature a live podcast discussion of Dr. Johnson’s book, What If We Get It Right?: Visions of Climate Futures, followed by a cocktail hour, meet and greet and book signing.
Tickets are required and include a copy of the book.
Next month, Healthy Acadia will celebrate 25 years of supporting healthier communities across the region. Their family-friendly anniversary gathering will feature food, live local music, activities for all ages and the unveiling of the Art for Health and Hope community art installation.
Whether you have been connected to Healthy Acadia for years or are just getting to know their work, all are welcome to join the celebration.
Pokemon Trade Night at Coastal Sports Collectibles
Saturday, August 1st
4:30PM - 7PM
Bring your trades and head downtown for an evening of Pokémon fun! Whether you are looking to trade, buy, sell or connect with fellow collectors, everyone is welcome. During Trade Night, the store will accept Pokémon trades at 100% of TCGplayer Market Value, giving collectors a chance to turn cards they no longer need into ones they have been chasing. No registration is required. Just bring your cards and join the fun!
The Grand will bring Broadway to the stage for a one-night-only evening of music and sweet treats. Featuring vocalists from The Grand’s live theatre community, the performance will include solos, duets and company numbers alongside a selection of desserts provided by local bakers. All proceeds will support programming at The Grand.
Flash! in the Pans Concert to Benefit Everybody Eats
Monday, August 10th
7:30PM - 9PM
Flash! in the Pans is bringing its lively steel drum sound to Knowlton Park for a donation-based concert benefiting Everybody Eats. Bring a chair or blanket, enjoy an evening of music, and help support the free community meal program serving nearly 150 people each week.
The First Congregational Church of Ellsworth, UCC, is serving up another community supper. Stop by for a hearty pot roast dinner with all the fixings, homemade pie, and plenty of good company. All are welcome.
2 Church Street $12 Per Person, $25 Per Family (2 adults, 2 kids)
FMI: Call Lois at (207)669-2028
Science Saturday: Reading the Forest Landscape with Tom Wessels
Saturday, August 29th
9AM - 11AM
Tom Wessels, professor emeritus at Antioch University New England, has authored six books, several focusing on forest ecology in New England. Tom is best known for his work with forests, but he also has a strong interest in desert, arctic and alpine ecosystems.
Tom will lead a walk on the trails at Woodlawn, discussing the natural history of the area, how to interpret natural features and what those features can tell us about the past.
Space is limited and pre-registration is required.
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.
