The word is out and fans are gathering. Martha’s Vineyard is expecting as many as 15,000 visitors for the 50th anniversary of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster film Jaws over the weekend of Thursday, June 19 to Monday, June 22. Opportunities abound – to meet cast members, to hear about behind-the-scenes experiences, to attend special screenings of the film, and to participate in an all-day reunion event at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. So while for Vineyarders, it may seem like we live in Amity all the time (a jump off Jaws Bridge anyone?), for movie fans a trip to the Island for this milestone is a hot ticket.

As a result, many bigger events have sold out, but that doesn’t mean we won’t all get swept up in the excitement anyway. Starting with a special Jaws-themed Martha’s Vineyard Sharks game – at The Shark Tank, of course – on Thursday evening, and going through Monday morning, when a full-scale replica of Orca’s cabin – meticulously researched and constructed by Cort Corino – is revealed at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, it will seem like we’re hearing John Williams’s Grammy and Academy award–winning Jaws theme song in our ears all weekend.

And if you think you’re seeing sharks everywhere – you are. Oak Bluffs is hosting a Sharks in the Park Public Art Display and the Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District is encouraging artists to participate in creating and exhibiting Jaws-themed art during and after the celebrations.

Event central will be the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, where talks and events are happening throughout the big weekend. Historian and Jaws fanatic (FIN-atic, in his words) A. Bowdoin “Bow” Van Riper will take fans on an in-depth exploration of what makes Jaws a masterpiece. Conservationist and scuba diver Wendy Benchley, wife of Peter Benchley, the late author of Jaws, will speak about how the movie sparked her interest in shark protection and global marine conservation. Sunday at the museum is Reunion Day, an all-day Jaws festival put on by the Vineyard Gazette in collaboration with the museum. The event will feature movie memorabilia, live performances, trivia games and meet-and-greets with Island residents who participated in the film’s production.

A highlight of the weekend is the premiere of Jaws@50: The Definitive Inside Story, a new documentary that reveals the behind-the-scenes stories of Jaws – from malfunctioning mechanical sharks to the creative genius of the young director – and also takes a look at how the cultural phenomenon spurred ocean conservation efforts. The documentary is directed by Laurent Bouzereau, who has worked closely with Steven Spielberg for over 30 years, in collaboration with Wendy Benchley.

The premiere will be hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society in partnership with National Geographic and Amblin Documentaries on Friday night at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center. But because the event sold out, the MV Film Society is working on efforts to make additional or future screenings possible.

And even before the weekend begins (and after it is over), we’ll all have a chance to go down memory lane and return to 1974 – by touring a special commemorative exhibit at Martha’s Vineyard Museum between May 24 and September 5. Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive explores how the Vineyard became Amity Island – through oral histories, photographs, original art and movie props. (The movie was filmed in 1974 and released in 1975.)

Additionally, the Vineyard Gazette Media Group has published a special magazine about the film, with rarely seen photos from the archives of Islanders. You can order your copy of Jaws 50 Martha’s Vineyard: Commemorative Anniversary Edition online at vineyardgazettestore.com.

Events are still being added to the calendar, so be sure to check vineyardgazette.com/jaws/events for the latest updates and for links to buy tickets.