Hopes for JAWS 50th anniversary event sinking fast
Martha’s Vineyard officials say a “JAWS” 50th anniversary celebration pitched last January in Aquinnah — a proposed 10-day event featuring film icons Steven Spielberg and John Williams — is no longer feasible due to a lack of communication. However, organizers indicate they are exploring other locations on the Island.
Last January, the Aquinnah select board reviewed a plan presented by Mike Cochrane, a descendant of a Universal Pictures co-founder, to bring conductor John Williams and the Boston Pops Orchestra to the Cliffs, temporarily install the film’s iconic “Amity Island Welcomes You” billboard, and host VIP events at the Vanderhoop Homestead.
Cochrane also suggested that the event could feature “Jaws” Director Steven Spielberg and Richard Dreyfuss, who played marine biologist Matt Hooper in the film.
Following a select board meeting last week, Aquinnah town administrator Jeffrey Madison told The Times that officials had not heard back from Cochrane or his team for most of the year and deemed the project no longer viable.
He also noted the proposal lacked thorough development. “I don’t think they were very serious in what they were trying to do,” Madison said.
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While board members in January and during a follow-up meeting in March acknowledged potential challenges, including local police capacity, road use, and the need to reimburse nearby businesses, they initially left the door open for the potentially lucrative event.
Speaking to The Times on Thursday, Cochrane expressed frustration over financial hurdles in the planning process, saying cost has been the main obstacle. He also mentioned a split with project consultant Interlux Group. “They couldn’t put any more resources into the project without getting any more specifics as to what the plans were,” he said.
“We’re at a point where it’s really difficult to raise capital to get everything moving forward,” Cochrane added.
Still, he expressed hope for a similar event elsewhere on the Island, even if Aquinnah is no longer an option. “We’re still trying to see if we can salvage something,” he said, though he declined to offer details, noting projects were not yet finalized.
Cochrane suggested there might still be an opportunity to host celebrations in one of the Island towns, citing outreach to all six select boards last summer. “There are other locations we could definitely look at,” he said. “We’ve connected with all the select boards of each town and had great conversations. We’re optimistic to hold events in each town.”
Reflecting on the stalled process, Cochrane shared his disappointment. “It’s really, really disappointing because I was really hoping to have something in place,” he said.
Original story featured in MVTimes
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