Martha's Vineyard celebrates Jaws' 30th

EDGARTOWN, Mass., May 12 (UPI) -- Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, Martha's Vineyard plans a festival to mark the 30th anniversary of "Jaws."

The movie was filmed on the Massachusetts island in 1974. At the time, many locals, especially those pressed into service as extras, thought "Jaws" was doomed to be a monumental flop. Instead, the movie began raking in big bucks when it was released in 1975 and it became the gold standard for summer blockbusters.

The three-day Jawsfest, scheduled June 3 to June 5, is luring fans from around the world. John Potter, a charter boat owner planning cruises to movie locations, told the Boston Globe he has received calls from Seattle, Los Angeles and Dublin.

"I had no idea that people were so out of their mind about this movie," he said.

Plans a movie screening on a beach, a clam bake, seminars and a ball. Twenty-five members of the cast and crew have agreed to show up, including Peter Benchley, who wrote the book, and a replica of Bruce, the mechanical shark.