History of Cowes Week
Skandia Cowes Week is not all about sailing! Historically Cowes Week has had a place on the social calendar for some 170 years. The yacht clubs around Cowes host Balls, Cocktail Parties and Dinners, but the real fun can be sampled at the Cowes Yacht Haven.
In the early days the entertainment was no more than a sponsored bar set up in one of the old boat sheds. Whilst bedecked with flags and looking quite festive it proved to be little barrier to the rain which seems to fall in torrents on at least a couple of days every Cowes Week. Over the ensuing years the social life of the marina underwent a metamorphosis, from being based in the boat shed, it became a retired railway carriage bar accompanied by a double decker bus food outlet. From this it moved to a handful of small tents (including one to house the musical offerings).
The tents became full sized marquees and an elevated stage was put in place until now the Cowes Yacht Haven is able to boast one of the largest event bars in the country (which stays on site for the duration of Skandia Cowes Week. This is accompanied by a large and impressive stage complete with lighting rig and P.A.
Because there is live entertainment from the Cowes Yacht Haven stage every afternoon and evening, it is an immensely popular venue featuring the best local bands and guest performers which can include well known tribute bands. Over the years local bands such as The Accelerators, Jimmy's Big Fish, JC & Angelina, Martinez and Remedy have become regulars on the Haven stage. Well known visiting bands and musicians have included Edwin Starr, The Drifters, Skunk Anansie and Hot Chocolate and with the craze of latter years for tribute bands we have, tongue in cheek, rocked the night away with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, T Rex, Queen and Abba!
Despite the size of the marina bar its popularity means that there is always a buzz of people whatever the time of day. When the sun is shining the afternoons can be happily spent sitting listening to good music with a cool drink and a meal selected from the many food outlets that surround the concourse.
The Champagne Mumm tent and Pimms tent have always been popular and here you can decadently sip whilst the bustle of the marina passes you by. It can be very entertaining watching the comings and goings of the yachtsmen as they return from a hard days' racing!
The Haven Events Centre will be hosting all of the important Skandia Cowes Week balls including, The Skandia Ball, The Isle of Wight Chamber Summer Ball, Isle of Wight Council Chairman's Reception and the End of Regatta Final Prizegiving, and it promises to be one of the coolest venues of the week. Completed in June 2005 at the cost of around £1.3 million the Haven Events Centre boasts a fantastic sound and lighting system and a truly unique atmosphere.
Cowes Yacht Haven management, always seeking ways to bring more fun ideas to the marina during Skandia Cowes Week, offers modern technologies in the form of webcams, wireless internet sevices, live internet radio.
