MAY 28, 2026 | ISSUE 19

HAVE YOU VOTED FOR ARTS IN THE PARK YET?

We’d be so grateful for your support—cast your vote and help shine a spotlight on Belfast! Winners will be announced in the September issue and online.

👉 https://vote.downeast.com/

Thank you to everyone who has helped make Arts in the Park such a vibrant and lasting tradition for 30 years!

Let’s bring this one home! 🌟

...A Walk in the Park...

On Sunday, May 31 at 8 a.m., join ecologists and master naturalists Aleta McKeage and Erik Klausmeyer for a springtime walk around the Belfast City Park Arboretum. Our experts will be highlighting the relationships between the birds, trees, and other common park visitors and inhabitants. Be sure to bring your binoculars, as well as bug spray and weather appropriate gear. The walk will begin at the City Park welcome plaza, at the Northport Avenue gate. This event is co-sponsored by the Belfast Garden Club and the Belfast Bay Watershed Coalition.

For more information, please email info@belfastbaywatershed.org.

Happy Wanderers: Bald Mountain

Join Coastal Mountains Land Trust (CMLT) and MaineHealth’s Community Health program for a Happy Wanderers hike at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4 at Bald Mountain in Camden.

This 2.6-mile out-and-back hike brings wanderers above the tree line to a 1,280-foot peak, with sweeping views of western Penobscot Bay and the surrounding coastal mountains. Expect some rocky footing along the way and about 660 feet of elevation gain. But the views at the top make it well worth the climb!

This hike is part of the Happy Wanderers walking series, which explores preserves and trails throughout Knox and Waldo counties. These hikes offer a chance to connect with fellow walkers while learning more about the Land Trust’s work to conserve land and connect people with nature across the western Penobscot Bay region.

All are welcome!



Directions: The trailhead is located at 325 Barnestown Rd., Camden. From downtown Camden, take Route 1 south, then turn right onto John Street and continue for 0.8 miles to Hosmer Pond Road on the left. Follow for 3.5 miles to the preserve parking lot on the left, just past Gillette Road.

Bring: Water, tick and insect protection, and binoculars if you have them.

Registration: To register for this hike and view the full 2026 Happy Wanderers schedule, visit:https://penbaywaldo.coursestorm.com/course/happy-wanderers-2026

Permission to be insufferably nauti and yachty for one night: GRANTED. 



YACHT TRASH is docking at The Commons. Think summering-in-Newport energy with none of the trust fund. 

Linen, plastic champagne flutes, and conversations far more pretentious than the situation calls for.

 WEAR: Linen, polos, chinos, navy stripes, visors

 DANCE: 70’s soft rock (and “etc”)

 DRINK: BYOB. Spritzers, champagne, blue Hawaiians

ENJOY: Deck games, photo ops, nautical overkill

 The Commons, 15 Main St, Belfast

June 5 | 8–11PM | 21+

$12 cash at the door 

Magic Presents: Pride 2026 is a celebratory Commander event running June 5–14 in select regions, inviting players to come together for a vibrant, inclusive play experience. With a special rules change that gives all commanders the partner keyword ability, players can explore new deck-building combinations, try unexpected pairings, and express their creativity in a fun environment built around community and connection. Players who participate receive a Pride-themed Gilded Lotus promo card as a keepsake from the celebration. 

White Rabbit Game Emporium / June 6th @1pm

Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and Belfast Bay Fiddlers Team up for June 6 Concert in Belfast

The Belfast Bay Fiddlers will share the stage with the Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra in a concert Saturday, June 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Belfast. The groups’ performances will include jigs, reels, waltzes, strathspeys, and other music from Scottish, Cape Breton, French Canadian, Irish, and American traditions that get feet tapping and soothe the soul. Performers play fiddle, penny whistle, button accordian, cello, guitar, piano, and other instruments. 

The Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, under the direction of Neil Pearlman, is the performing group of the Boston Scottish Fiddle Club (BSFC). The Club was co- founded in 1981 by Neil’s father, fiddler Ed Pearlman, and Barbara McOwen. The mission of the non-profit BSFC is to preserve and share the joys of Scottish and Cape Breton music and musical culture. The Club sponsors teaching workshops, youth classes, and jam sessions as well as the BSFO. Like the Belfast Bay Fiddlers, the Boston Scottish Fiddle Orchestra is made up of community musicians. Its third CD will be released this spring in time for the celebration of the 10^thAnniversary of the Orchestra. More information about the group can be found at its website, bsfc.org.

For nearly 20 years the Belfast Bay Fiddlers have held informal, weekly jam sessions open to the public for players of various instruments who want to learn fiddle tunes and play with other musicians. Members of the popular group, led by Rick Fitzsimmons, perform around the region every year at the Maine Celtic Celebration, Arts in the Park, summer concert series, and other public events. The group’s website, belfastbayfiddlers.org, has more information. 

No advance tickets are necessary for the concert. A suggested donation of $20 can be made at the door of the Unitarian Universalist Church, 37 Miller Street, Belfast. Information: Belfastfiddlers@gmail.org. 

Booksigning by Maine author Caitlin Shetterly at Left Bank Books on Tuesday, June 16, at 7 pm.

Reservations are required for Caitlin's talk. Reserve your seat HERE.

Bits of Belfast History

"Bits of Belfast History” is the topic for the Belfast Historical Society meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Monday June 22, in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library. Sam Fuller, of Stockton Springs, collector of Maine bottles, stoneware and exonumia, will present Belfast related items from his vast collection of medicinal bottles, fraternal badges and pins, novelties, and commercial advertising collectibles. Many of his collected Belfast bits have come from local flea markets. Sam’s extensive knowledge will both educate and entertain.

The Belfast Historical Society presents talks of local historical interest on the 4th Monday of the month from April through October. All presentations are at 7:00pm in the Abbott Room at the Belfast Free Library and are open to the public. Seating is limited to 75.

FMI visit BelfastMuseum.org or call 207 338-9229. These programs will be recorded and can be viewed on Belfast Community Television and on the museum website.

Starting June 1, our new location will be in a section of the renovated building at 105 High Street, most recently home to the Grasshopper Shop. It’s a wonderful downtown street-level location with private parking.

As part of this transition, we’re also turning our expert branding attention to our own agency, with a refined focus and identity forthcoming. Stay tuned!  

Current clients, new clients and friends can find us at the same phone number (207-338-1740), email (info@pica.is) and postal address (PO Box 225, Belfast ME 04915). We look forward to welcoming you to our new space!

All best,

The Pica team

Rob, Cassidy and Arielle

The Waldo County YMCA is hiring:

>MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR

The Membership Director is responsible for overall supervision and leadership of membership operations for Waldo County YMCA. The Membership Director is responsible for revenue and membership growth and retention, fiscal management for membership, financial development, facility cleanliness, hiring, training and supervision of membership staff. 

The position is responsible for demonstrating YMCA leadership competencies to ensure the mission, purpose, image and core values of the Waldo County YMCA is conveyed. Responsible for supervising direct reports, including Membership Service Coordinator, Front Desk Staff. 

Marketing experience and willingness to learn is a plus.

The Successful Candidate Will Achieve Excellence in the Following Areas:

● Customer Service and Fiscal Management

● Develop and Implement a Membership Growth Plan

● Develop and Manage the Membership Staff Team

● Advocate the YMCA Vision within the Community

>CUSTODIAL STAFF SUPPORT

The Waldo County YMCA currently has a part-time opening for Custodial Staff Support. We’re looking for the best and brightest to take our WCY Facility to the next level. This position supports the work of the WCY, a leading charity committed to strengthening the community. Cleans and sanitizes assigned areas, including such duties as mopping, dusting, and trash removal.

If you have a passion for housekeeping or janitorial expertise, the Y may have a position for you!

Shifts Include: The following shifts are available: Weekdays, Weeknights, Saturdays & Sundays.

Visit the website HERE FMI or to apply!

The OHTM is excited to share that consignments are now open for the 48th Annual New England Auto Auction™, taking place August 21–22, 2026, at the Owls Head Transportation Museum in Owls Head, Maine.

As one of the Northeast’s premier collector vehicle auctions, the event brings together classic car enthusiasts, collectors, and bidders from throughout New England and beyond. We would greatly appreciate your help sharing the attached graphic and information with your members and community through your newsletter, social media, or event calendar.

Consignments are currently being accepted for classic and collector vehicles, motorcycles, trucks, automobilia, and select specialty vehicles.

More information can be found here:

https://auction.owlshead.org/

Dorothy Havey, Executive Director

Director@belfastmaine.org

Kim Grindle, Member Relations Coordinator

ChamberOffice@belfastmaine.org

Board of Directors

President: Michelle Curtis, First National Bank

Vice President: Ryan Harnden, Mathews Brothers

Treasurer: Terri Tower, Camden National Bank

Secretary: Megan McAvoy, MaineHealth Waldo Hospital

Haley B. Hall, Esq., Camden Law

John McKeith, The Belfast Center

Mary Tripp, Bank of America

Staff Photography by Dave Waddell, Down East Magazine