MAKE the most of 2018's Lendy Cowes Week with a free 32-page souvenir guide in today's County Press.

With an entertainment programme, timetable of events and top tips of which gems to visit inside, the supplement is an essential map to a great Cowes Week.

The festivities kick off this weekend, with thousands of sailing enthusiasts descending on the town.

As well as all the action on the water, there will be plenty to do shoreside, including countless pop-up bars and eateries.

Entertainment begins tonight (Friday), with live acts at Cowes Yacht Haven, on the Parade and at Shepards Marina.

Racing spectators can make full use of the great views from the Green and Parade or step aboard a spectator boat to get closer to the action.

Shepards Marina is an official Lendy Cowes Week shoreside venue at this year’s regatta, with a packed programme from today (Friday), until next Saturday (August 11).

The friendly marina is the place to go for après racing drinks, relaxation and entertainment with live music and great food.

There is a fantastic range of special events to enjoy and the marina is open from breakfast until 2am during the regatta.

The venue, known as Cowes At Shepards, is open to all competitors, families and friends, visiting yachtsmen and spectators.

Enjoy live music in the yard every afternoon and evening and if you want to party late into the night, then head to The Sugar Store Nightclub, Cowes’ original late night club open from 10pm until 2am every night until August 11.

Highlights of the week at Shepards Marina include:

• Lendy Cowes Week Skippers’ Briefing – 6pm tonight (Friday).

• Opening Night at Cowes At Shepards — 6pm tonight (Friday).

• Lendy Cowes Week Video Debrief sessions – August 5, 6 and 8.

• The Maiden Factor Q&A — 2.30-4.30pm Tuesday, August 7. Come to meet the ladies who will take Maiden on a three-year voyage from September 2018. Also at the Q&A will be Tracy Edwards MBE and members of the original crew.

• The official Lendy Cowes Week Fever-Tree Crew Cap Party — from 6pm Thursday, August 9.

• The Pier Bar exclusive Red Arrows and Fireworks event — Friday, August 10.

• Lendy Cowes Week overall prizegiving — from 7pm Saturday, August 11.

You can also enjoy a VIP experience at the Pier Bar with some of the best views across Cowes Harbour, or relax with a drink watching the highlights of the day’s racing on the Event TV big screen outside the Yard Bar.

For more information about the entertainment and events at Shepards Marina this Lendy Cowes Week please visit: www.cowesatshepards.co.uk

Are you part of an Island crew racing this year?

Send your pictures to our Cowes Week correspondent, James Woolven (jamesw@iwcpmail.co.uk), for a chance to feature online or in next week's paper.