‘Jaws’ Still Lives on Martha’s Vineyard for Thousands

In 1975, Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” caused thousands of people to fear swimming in the ocean — but it also led droves of tourists to travel to Martha’s Vineyard, where the thriller was shot. They’re still coming — now more than ever. With the Universal flick marking its 50th anniversary this summer, the island’s visitor population is expected to swell by more than 200,000 visitors, compared to the year-round base of 20,000 residents, according to the Martha Vineyard Chamber of Commerce’s executive director Erica Ashton. Day-trippers, weekenders and second home owners will have a tough time walking into any store without finding any teeth-baring great white shark motifs through Labor Day. Located south of Cape Cod, the 96-square-mile Massachusetts island continues to reel in generations of movie fans a half-century later. Based on Peter Benchley’s book of the same name, the silver anniversary is being celebrated with a sundry of talks, screenings and exhibitions. With sweeping beaches, lighthouses, fishing docks and quaint weather-beaten cottages, “The Vineyard” is the quintessential summer escape. Although it was portrayed as the fictitious Amity island in the film, many of the location sites are still favorite destinations with travelers — less so for the traffic and tourist-averse year-round

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