ELLSWORTH — Heart of Ellsworth is inviting community members and visitors to spend the first weekend of May in downtown Ellsworth with three events that celebrate local culture, encourage connection, and support a vibrant downtown. The weekend lineup includes a Maine Seaweed Week event on Friday, Jane’s Walk programming on Saturday and a fundraising dinner with Provender Kitchen + Bar on Sunday.
On Friday, May 1 from 4-6 p.m. Heart of Ellsworth will partner with Frenchman Bay Conservancy and Maine Coast Sea Vegetables at 16 State St. to host Seaweed Social: Voices of Frenchman Bay. This free community event is part of 2026 Maine Seaweed Week, a statewide celebration of Maine’s seaweed harvest. Ellsworth is also the first accredited Main Street community in Maine to spotlight Seaweed Week. The event will feature seaweed themed small bites, activities, podcast listening, and a short film screening that highlights the many ways seaweed shapes life, industry, and culture in Downeast Maine.
On Saturday, May 2 Jane’s Walk will bring a full day of free, volunteer led walking conversations to Ellsworth. Inspired by Jane Jacobs, the global festival encourages people to explore the places they live through local history, civic engagement, art, design and shared observation. This year’s Ellsworth lineup invites participants to join one walk or make a day of it, with topics ranging from walkability and downtown history to art, public space and a seaweed centered stroll through downtown.
The weekend will conclude on Sunday, May 3 at 5:30 p.m. with a fundraising dinner in partnership with Provender Kitchen + Bar at 112 Main St. At $125 per person, guests can expect a dining experience that reflects the quality and creativity Provender is known for, while supporting Heart of Ellsworth’s mission to keep downtown vibrant, welcoming and thriving.
Together, these three events reflect Heart of Ellsworth’s ongoing work to create meaningful opportunities for community participation while strengthening downtown through culture and collaboration. For full event details, visit heartofellsworth.org.
Heart of Ellsworth is a nationally accredited Main Street organization dedicated to strengthening downtown Ellsworth through economic vitality, historic preservation and community engagement. Through strategic partnerships, data-driven initiatives and place-based programming, Heart of Ellsworth supports local businesses, enhances the downtown experience and fosters a vibrant, sustainable district.