The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip Island kicks off this weekend, and if you haven’t got a ticket, there is still plenty going on for a weekend full of fun.

Cowes will come to life during the MotoGP, with free entertainment and activities over the extended weekend. The bottom part of Thompson Avenue will become a licensed festival zone on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings, featuring a superscreen and stage, showing race highlights, including a replay of the MotoGP race, as well as plenty of live music.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield encourages resident to get involved with the event and activities.

“There are many free and family friendly activities happening over the weekend, and I encourage the whole community to come out and be a part of the fun,” Cr Rothfield said.

“The warm welcome visitors experience and buzzing atmosphere in Cowes is a big part of the total experience the event creates.”

The free activities kick off on Thursday 25, October, when the16^th annual Barry Sheene Ride, featuring 500 riders, passes through Wonthaggi at around 12.45pm and stops in at San Remo at around 1.30pm. It is great fun to watch and wave as the riders go by.

If you want to get a taste of the action at the track, Bass Coast residents are eligible for free general admission to the track on Friday, 26 October by showing proof of residency at the Gate1 ticket box. After a day at the track, there will be live entertainment in Cowes, starting with local performer Daniel Lunn at 6.30pm followed by the Lang Brothers at 9.30pm.

The activities begin early on Saturday, 27 October with the Classic on Cowes vintage motorcycle display from 9.00am at the revamped Jetty Triangle. At 11.30am watch around 2,000 motorcycles converge on Cowes as the final stage of the Cranbourne GP Run. The Cowes main stage will have live entertainment for much of the day with Bern Carroll at 6.00pm and Louie and the Party Boyz headlining at 9.30pm. The extended licenced outdoor area will remain open until 1.00am

On Sunday, race day, the Cowes main stage will come back to life with The Times performing from 6.00pm. A replay of the 2018 MotoGP race will be shown on the superscreen at 7.00pm, followed by The Times who will play from 8.00pm to 11.00pm, when the entertainment finishes.

The Royal Australian Air Force will be conducting flying displays near the grand prix circuit over the weekend. The Roulettes will perform an aerial display from 1.15pm to1.30pm on Saturday, 27 October and an F/A-18, will put on a display between 3.30pm and 3.40pm on Sunday, 28 October. The timing of the displays will be subject to weather conditions. These displays, while thrilling to watch, can be loud and disruptive to pets so please ensure you keep your pets safe during these times.

The weekend of events may create traffic congestion and Council thanks residents and visitors for their patience. From Friday to Sunday, Gap Road south of Back Beach Road will be closed to traffic, and Gap Road north of Back Beach Road will have restricted access from Ventnor Beach Road between 7.30am and 7.30pm. Gap Road residents will have access via Phillip Island Road at all times.

On Sunday, 28 October Back Beach Road will operate as one way (circuit bound) from Beachcomber Avenue between 8.00am and midday. Later in the day, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm, the one way will change direction, operating from the circuit to Phillip Island Road, Melbourne bound.

The blue line will be in operation on Phillip Island Road between Back Beach Road and the Bass Highway merge on Sunday, 28 October from 3.00pm to 7.00pm.

Traffic on Phillip Island Road can become extremely busy on Monday, when many of the event goers and workers leave the Island. If possible please avoid travel on Phillip Island Road from 9.00am until around 1.00pm.

For further details on all of the events and activities, visit basscoast.vic.gov.au/events or pick up a copy of the community information brochure from any Bass Coast Customer Service Centre or Visitor Information Centre.