How did a movie about a great white shark hellbent on chowing down on as many humans as possible become a Fourth of July movie?
Aside from the fact that many of the fictional events in “Jaws” took place on and around Independence Day in the New England beach town of Amity Island, the Academy Award-winning thriller directed by Steven Spielberg was released in 1975 on the first day of summer — not long before countless Americans planned on celebrating Tuesday, July 4, with picnics, fireworks, lots of beer and … swimming (cue ominous “Jaws” theme music here).
If you have the Fourth of July off of work and are thinking of taking a dip in open waters, you may want to skip the Pickford Film Center’s 1:30 p.m. screening of the movie largely responsible for the term “summer blockbuster.” However, if you’re planning on recreating near a lake or swimming pool later in the day — basically, any body of water where behemoths of the deep are less likely to be lurking — a viewing of the classic thriller would be the perfect lead up.
In Whatcom and Skagit counties, those interested in spending their day off with access to beer gardens, live music, waterfront views, activities for kids and explosive finales will have plenty of options to choose from.
First off, the Port of Bellingham will team up with the chamber of commerce and local businesses to present the People’s Bank Fourth of July Spectacular. Starting at 2 p.m. at Zuanich Point Park and ending after the sun sets and fireworks fill the night sky above Bellingham Bay, the event will kick off with family-friendly games for kids, activities and art projects. Kulshan Brewing Company will be pouring its beer and cider, and various food vendors will be on site. At 3:30 p.m., Analog Brass will take the music stage, followed by The Whags, and concluding with The Walrus. At 10:30 p.m., watch the fireworks at the park or from other, less-crowded, locales.
Bellingham’s Pickford Film Center will screen the 1975 movie “Jaws” on Tuesday, July 4. Watch the original summer blockbuster focusing on a great white shark, then spend the rest of the day avoiding open waters. (Image courtesy of Pickford Film Center)
In Blaine, the annual Old Fashioned Fourth of July will be celebrating America’s 247th birthday with a plethora of activities, kicking off with an early-morning pancake breakfast at the Blaine Senior Center. Once you’ve fueled up, head to a street fair and kids zone, where you’ll find arts, crafts, commercial vendors and more. The party continues with live music on two stages, a noontime parade, a book sale at the Blaine Library and more before the light show over Semiahmoo Bay brings a close to the festivities.
Sticking with the wholesome themes which tend to pop up on the Fourth of July, La Conner will be hosting A Hometown Celebration starting at 5 p.m. at the city’s marina with the opening of a food, beer and wine garden. At 5:30 p.m., The Enthusiasts — which features Grammy Award-winner Randy Weeks — will play, followed by Chris Eger and the Powerhouse Horns, who will bring the blues to the stage before the 10 p.m. fireworks show.
Mount Vernon’s Fabulous Fourth of July will skip all of the side events and get straight to the pyrotechnics at Edgewater Park, which will open at 8 p.m. for those wanting to score a sweet vantage point. Feel free to bring a picnic, but leave barbecues, canopies, alcohol and your own fireworks at home.
In Sedro-Woolley, the fireworks will come at the tail end of Loggerrodeo, the annual five-day Fourth of July celebration that begins June 30 and features everything from a beard contest to street dances, kiddie parades, pie-eating contests, live music, a carnival, chainsaw carving competitions, an auction, a foot race, a car show, food vendors, the PRCA Rodeo, logging exhibitions and more. On the Fourth of July proper, a parade will start at noon and a fireworks show will close out the citywide soiree with a bang at dusk at Riverfront Park, which is adjacent to the carnival, and will be open until midnight.
If the thought of hobnobbing with the masses doesn’t appeal and you plan to attend (or host) a small potluck to avoid the crowds, a good option for including in a porch party is deviled eggs. The bite-sized appetizer is easier than you think to make and is guaranteed to please even the pickiest guest.
Simple directions: Begin cooking eggs in cold water, bring to a boil, then turn off heat, cover and let sit for approximately 10 minutes. Drain, then rinse under cold water and let sit in the fridge for 15 minutes. Peel, then halve eggs lengthwise, mash the yolks and add mustard, hot sauce, salt and pepper before stirring in a liberal amount of mayonnaise. Fill eggs with the mixture, top with paprika and garnish with chives (optional).
Perhaps none of the aforementioned Fourth of July suggestions pique your interest, and you plan on eating edibles and binge-watching your favorite Netflix series with the sound turned up. That’s fine, too, because you’ll be celebrating your own independence.
