Lendy Cowes Week is upon us and whilst the sailing competitors are enjoying their racing there are dozens of activities shoreside for everyone to join in and enjoy.
Some entertainment and activities will take place throughout Lendy Cowes Week with the first planned openings today (Friday 3rd August) and will run through to Saturday 11th. With the start of the Sevenstar Round Britain and Ireland Race – organised by the RORC and starting off Cowes – on Sunday 12th a number of events will continue until then.
There are 4 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, between 11:00 – 18:00, there will be music, entertainers, face painting and glitter tattoos based at various locations 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 3 venues hosting art exhibitions. This 1 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 5th is Family Day with special entertainment for children throughout Cowes. Families get special discounts on the great Spectator Boat bookings and Gemma Hunt from CBeebies’ Swashbuckle will be on the Parade.
With The 1851 Trust being the Official Charity of Lendy Cowes Week, it is organising several activities on Cowes Parade also. There will be treasure hunts and workshops for children (bookable) most days and the charity will be highlighted on Charity Day – Monday 6th.
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 7th (Ladies Day) ladies wearing nautical stripes will be in for a chance to win Cowes Parade Ladies Day on-the-spot prizes. Wednesday 8th (Youth Day) between 14:00-20:00 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 10th 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 and 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.
Shepards Marina is the venue on Saturday 4th at 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 7th between 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. On Thursday 9th (18:00) Lendy Cowes Week presents Fever-Tree Crew Cap Party followed by the Crew Cap After Party between 22:00-02:00 in the Sugar Store Night Club. Shepards Marina on Friday 10th (18:30) is the venue for the Red Arrows & Fireworks Party in the Pier Bar and on Saturday 11th (19:00 – 20:00) everyone is welcome to the Overall Prizegiving followed by the closing party at 20:00.
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.
The Lawn Lounge & Gin Festival is open all week between 12:00-00:30 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 Saturday 4th and then open most nights. Do not miss the Victorian Fun Fair 11:00 – 22:00 (most days).
On Sunday 5th, between12:00 – 17:00, there will be Tree Climbing Adventure with Goodleaf and at 20:00-01:30 a Caribbean Crew Party, whilst on Tuesday 7th visitors will be able to experience an Outdoor Family Theatre between 11:30-15:00.
On Wednesday 8th (10:00 – 16:00) Northwood Park will host a Classic Car Display and on Thursday 9th at 12:30 there will be the Northwood House Charitable Trust Ladies Lunch, followed the Fireworks Lawn Party on Friday 10th at 18:00.
For full details and times see www.lendycowesweek.co.uk.
