IN THE SUMMER OF 1975, a great white shark named Bruce terrorized the fictional Amity Island, and Steven Spielberg’s Jaws swam into history as the first summer blockbuster. Fifty years later, Martha’s Vineyard—the real-life stand-in for Amity—is gearing up for a jaw-dropping celebration of the film’s legacy.
From June 19 to 29, 2025, Amity Week and Amity Homecoming Weekend will transform the island into a pilgrimage site for fans, with screenings, tours, exhibits, and shark-themed festivities that honor the movie’s enduring grip on pop culture. Summer-long events will keep the spirit alive, drawing locals and tourists alike to relive the suspense, nostalgia, and island charm that made Jaws a cinematic milestone. Amity Island Comes Alive Martha’s Vineyard has never shaken off its Jaws connection—and it doesn’t want to.
In 1974, Spielberg’s crew descended on Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, and Menemsha, turning quaint New England streets and beaches into the shark-infested waters of Amity. The island’s docks, dunes, and harbors became characters in their own right, from the bustling Edgartown Town Hall (Amity’s nerve center) to the infamous “Jaws Bridge” on Beach Road, where Alex Kintner met his fate. Locals served as extras, crew, and even shark wranglers, embedding the film in the island’s DNA.
Now, in 2025, the island is rolling out the red carpet—or rather, the yellow barrel—for Jaws’ 50th anniversary. It’s not just a movie here; it’s part of who the island is. The festivities kick off with Amity Homecoming Weekend (June 19–23), a five-day extravaganza packed with events that blend nostalgia, community, and a touch of shark-induced adrenaline.
On June 19, Vineyard Baseball Park hosted the Amity Sharks vs. Quint Navigators baseball game, where fans snagged limited-edition jerseys inspired by Chief Brody and Quint’s salty crew. On June 20, the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center will screen Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, a National Geographic and Amblin Documentaries premiere, followed by a swanky after-party at Harbor View Hotel’s Roxy Pool Bar with sharkthemed cocktails, live music, and surprise appearances from Jaws cast and crew. The weekend will hum with activity: kids craft shark-shaped puzzles at Edgartown Library, while adults can mingle with Jeffrey Voorhees (the ill-fated Alex Kintner) at The Wharf Pub. On June 21, the Oak Bluffs Harbor Festival will fill the waterfront with vendors, live bands, and Jawsthemed games, while a Barks & Sharks Dog Costume Stroll parades pups dressed as sharks and sailors from Harbor View Hotel to Eel Pond.
The Martha’s Vineyard Museum will anchor the celebration with talks from heavyweights like production designer Joe Alves and special effects guru Greg Nicotero, who restored the last surviving Jaws shark mold. Wendy Benchley, widow of author Peter Benchley, will share her journey from the Jaws set to ocean conservation advocacy, highlighting the film’s unexpected role in shark protection efforts. Also on June 21, don’t miss Jaws in Concert from 6 pm to 11 pm at Winnetu Oceanside Resort in Edgartown. Here you can celebrate JAWS in the most fitting of locations — the original Amity Island shooting location. Presented by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, as part of the Alamo Drafthouse Rolling Roadshow tour, the JAWS screening will be accompanied by a live score with the Cape Cod Symphony. T
The Reunion Day Festival on June 22 is sure to live up to its promises with a lively, perfect summer day of trivia, sing-alongs, and memorabilia displays, with a free Jaws at 50: Commemorative Anniversary Magazine for attendees. Amity Week (June 20–29) keeps the momentum going. Families can flock to Harborside Inn for lawn games and shark-themed ice cream, while competitive types sculpt Jaws-inspired sandcastles at Jaws Bridge. Authors like Michael A. Smith (Jaws 2: The Making of the Hollywood Sequel) take the stage at Edgartown Books, and a second Barks & Sharks dog parade caps the week.
For those craving immersion, the Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive exhibit (May 24–September 7) at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum showcases props like a replica of Bruce’s head and Quint’s yellow barrel, alongside a full-scale Orca cabin replica.
A Blockbuster’s Lasting Bite Jaws wasn’t just a movie—it was a cultural tsunami. Grossing over $470 million worldwide, it snagged three Academy Awards and redefined summer cinema. John Williams’ haunting score still sends shivers, and lines like “You’re gonna need a bigger boat” are etched in pop culture lore.
But the film’s production was no smooth sail. The mechanical shark, Bruce, was a notorious diva, breaking down constantly in the Atlantic’s choppy waters. Spielberg’s genius was turning those glitches into suspense, using POV shots and Williams’ music. The sequels—Jaws 2 (1978), Jaws 3-D (1983), and Jaws: The Revenge (1987)—never matched the original’s magic. Jaws 2 returned to Martha’s Vineyard for some scenes, but Florida and the Bahamas took over for later installments. Critics panned the sequels, though Michael Caine’s quip about Jaws: The Revenge funding his mother’s house remains a fan favorite.
Still, the franchise’s cult following thrives, fueled by nostalgia, parodies in The Simpsons, and collectibles like the new Jaws LEGO set. Martha’s Vineyard leans into this fandom. HomeGrown Tours’ Ultimate Jawsome Jaws Tour, led by Voorhees, visits filming sites like South Beach and Menemsha Harbor, while the Jaws Experience Escape Room at Pirates Puzzle challenges fans to outsmart Bruce.
As you explore the island, keep an eye out for Jaws’ memorabilia and merchandise at every turn. Local shops stock Jaws swag: The Black Dog sells themed T-shirts, the Vineyard Gazette offers the anniversary magazine, and pop-up vendors at Reunion Day hawk everything from posters to Quint-inspired Narragansett beer cans. Don’t miss the chance to visit high-end jewelers like CB Stark Jewelers and Whatever Silver in Edgartown and Oak Bluffs, which will offer exclusive Jaws-themed pieces, such as shark tooth pendants or Amity-inspired charms, crafted specially for the anniversary. Check their stores on Main Street or online at www.cbstark.com and www.whateversilver.com for unique keepsakes.
Island Logistics and Shark Fever Planning a trip? Book ferries through the Steamship Authority or Hy-Line Cruises and secure accommodations early— hotels are filling fast. Island buses make car-free travel a breeze. For updates, check www.jaws50th.com or www. amityweek.org.
As Martha’s Vineyard dives into Jaws’ 50th anniversary, it’s not just celebrating a film—it’s honoring a shared history that has shaped the island’s identity. From the weathered docks of Menemsha to the sandy shores of South Beach, every corner pulses with the echoes of Spielberg’s masterpiece. Whether you’re chasing memorabilia at CB Stark or Whatever Silver, joining the dog costume parade, or standing on Jaws Bridge imagining Bruce lurking below, this summer offers a chance to step into Amity Island’s world. Pack your bags, grab a shark-themed trinket, and immerse yourself in a cinematic legacy that still bites.
