View from Giant Wheel over Cowes/East Cowes.
Today (3rd August) sees the start of Lendy Cowes Week 2018 and whilst the sailing competitors are enjoying their racing there are dozens of activities shoreside for everyone to join in and enjoy. Of course, after racing the sailors can sample the entertainment too.
Some entertainment and activities will take place throughout Lendy Cowes Week with the first planned openings on Friday 3rd August and will run through to Saturday 11th. With the start of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race which is organised by the RORC and starting off Cowes on Sunday 12th a number of events will continue until then.
There are four official venues for events- Cowes Parade, Northwood House, Shepards Marina and Cowes Yacht Haven plus other events taking place around the town.
In Cowes High Street, 11:00 – 18:00, there will be Music, entertainers, facepainting and Glitter Tattoos based at various locations and on most days. At certain times of the day the many yacht clubs around the town will host functions. (members or invitation only)
New this year is the Cowes Art Trail, linking three venues hosting art exhibitions. This one- mile trail will take in the town centre, Parade and Northwood Park. Venues will have art and gifts for sale and refreshments will be available. (See Cowes Art Trail leaflet)
Sunday 5- is Family Day with special entertainments for children all the way through Cowes and families get special discounts on the great Spectator Boat bookings + Gemma Hunt from CBeebies Swashbuckle is on the Parade.
With The 1851 Trust, being the Official Charity of Lendy Cowes Week, it is organising several activities on Cowes Parade. There will be treasure hunts and workshops for children (bookable) most days and the charity will be highlighted on Charity Day- Monday 6.
Cowes Parade will also have the entertainments stage and pop-up village where several of the regatta’s sub-sponsors such as Chatham have stands. On Tuesday 7 -Ladies Day (12:00 – 23:00) ladies wearing nautical stripes will be in for a chance to win Cowes Parade Ladies Day on-the-spot prizes. Wednesday 8 -Youth Day between14:00 – 20:00 sees the Lendy New Generation Music Stage hosting some of the best bands from across the UK – all of whom are crowd-funded. On Friday 10 at 19:30 the stunning Red Arrows team take to the air once again in a spectacular display of airmanship. Listen in live as Red 10 talks the team through their manoeuvres and they jet past overhead at over 400kph! This is followed at 21:30 by the Lendy Cowes Week Fireworks Display.
Cowes Yacht Haven plays host to acts on the main stage everyday + William Bartholomew and his team have returned after 10 years, to open JJ’s Nightclub in the Events Centre. (Every evening) Most early afternoons there will be entertainments for children including Twisted Inflations (Balloons) and Huxley Magic and on the 6th, 8th and 10th (14:00 – 18:00) Isle of Wight Radio will be broadcasting.
Shepards Marina is the venue on Saturday 4-18:00 for the Skippers Briefing (Black/White Group Skippers) in the Sugar Store. After sailing, most days,16:30 – 19:30 there will be Sundowner Sessions in association with Westerhall Rum and the Sugar Store will host Video Debriefs with World Champion Andrew Palfrey on some days as well as the Night Club open 22:00 – 02:00. (most days)
On Tuesday 7-14:30 – 16:30 Shepards Marina will see a Maiden Factor Q & A event with Tracy Edwards MBE alongside some of the original Maiden crew members and on Thursday 9 (18:00) Lendy Cowes Week presents Fever-Tree Crew Cap Party followed at 22:00 – 02:00 in the Sugar Store Night Club – Crew Cap After Party. Shepards Marina on Friday 10– (18:30) is the venue for the Red Arrows & Fireworks Party in the Pier Bar and on Saturday 11– (19:00 – 20:00) everyone is welcome to the Overall Prizegiving followed by at 20:00 – Lendy Cowes Week 2018 – closing party and at 22:00 – 0200 -Sugar Store Nightclub – Closing Party.
Northwood House/Park is the venue for several events most of them there all week. One highlight is the return of the Giant Observation Wheel. At over 100ft high, the wheel is one of the largest of its type travelling the UK and gives stunning views over Cowes and the Solent.
Open 12:00 – 00:30 the Lawn Lounge & Gin Festival is open all week and most days 11:00 – 18:00 Afternoon Teas will be served on the Eastern Lawn. Club Balearia will be open from 22:00 for the Opening party on Saturday4 and then open most nights and do not miss the Victorian Fun Fair 11:00 – 22:00 (most days)
On Sunday5 12:00 – 17:00 there will be Tree Climbing Adventure with Goodleaf and at 20:00 – 01:30 a Caribbean Crew Party, whilst on Tuesday 7: 11:30 & 15:00-Outdoor Family Theatre.
On Wednesday 8: 10:00 – 16:00 Northwood Park will host a Classic Car Display and on Thursday 9 at 1230 there will be the Northwood House Charitable Trust Ladies Lunch, followed on Friday 10 at 18:00 the Fireworks Lawn Party.
For full details and times see www.lendycowesweek.co.uk