Fans from around the country and the world are headed to Martha’s Vineyard for the Jaws 50th anniversary. The Gazette checked in with a few chat-boards to find out what Jaws fan are most excited for.  

Dean Cubitt:

Hello Islanders, my name is Dean Cubitt and I’m coming to Martha’s Vineyard next week for JAWS 50 celebration. I’m traveling from Wales in the UK. I am a massive collector of all things JAWS 1975. I’m not only looking forward to the Jaws celebrations, but also all the wonderful places on your Island to visit. 

Open wide. — Edith Blake

Nicholas Blatt:

I have fond memories of my one-day visit in 1986, to a beautiful Island that looked exactly as in the film. I did a whistle-stop tour, based on my own research. Then, I was a lone pilgrim, getting a bit too excited about a bridge our bus went over, to the amusement of other passengers. 

Now, I am looking forward to joining many others who will recognize the Jaws bridge (as Google states) for what it is, and visiting all the other locations with like-minded folk. 

Throughout the weekend, I’ll be dressed as Quint, to honor the memory of the great Robert Shaw, whose performance in Jaws  inspired me to become an actor, also.

Michael Smith:

I’m most looking forward to seeing old friends and making new ones. Thanks to the internet I have been able to be in touch with fans from all over the world. This event gives those of us that are making the trip the chance to connect in person.

 Bill and Emily Desenberg:

We are coming all the way from California and have been planning this for over a year. We are looking forward to all the Jaws-related celebrations we will be attending. The highlight will be seeing the movie on the Island as well as taking the tour of the Island.

Filming on the water makes for long days. — Edith Blake

Judy Pancoast:

I have been a huge fan since 1975 and what I’m most looking forward to is being around people who understand that Jaws is the greatest movie ever made!

Greg Dole:

I was a principal actor in the original Jaws movie (Coast Guard sonar operator). I was in the famous “fake shark fin scene.” In the movie, I shouted “Jesus Christ! Fin! Shark! 3-5-0,” causing mayhem on the beach on the 4th of July. Then pulled the boys with the fake fins out of the water.

What I am most excited about is spending time on Sunday at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum Reunion, where I will be meeting and talking with fans, and signing autographs beside local police chief Jonathan Searle, who is the little boy in the scene with me. I’m hoping nobody asks us to do a reenactment because, as I understand, he’s not such a little boy anymore. I am really looking forward to seeing him again after 50 years!

 Timothy Thomas:

I’m Timothy Thomas, the Jaws painter. I’m going to have a bunch of prints of my Jaws paintings at the Martha’s Vineyard museum, and a lot of original canvas paintings at Katama General Store. I’m really looking forward to people seeing the work. This is going to be such an amazing summer on the Island. I’m worried the Island might sink from the weight of all the Jaws fans! It’s gonna be Jawsome!