If you go
› What: “Jaws on the Water”› Where: Tom Fuller Park, 1639 Pumphouse Road, Rockwood, Tennessee› When: Check-in at 7:30 p.m, movie at 9 p.m. Saturday, July 7› Admission: $8, tube rental additional› For more information: www.eventbrite.com
When Chase Clem launched a new fundraising idea last September, he had no idea whether it would sink or swim.
The idea behind "Jaws on the Water" was to show "Jaws" on a big screen at Watts Bar Lake in Tom Fuller Park while moviegoers watched from their floats and inner tubes in the water . in the dark. Brave souls who didn't spook and made it through the full movie got a T-shirt proclaiming they survived "Jaws."
The plan went swimmingly.
Clem, Parks and Recreation director for the city of Rockwood, Tennessee, says 450 tickets sold and about 350 came to the inaugural lake party, most of those surviving the movie.
"There were a few 'casualties' due to cool weather, which is the main reason we decided to move it to July," Clem says.
"We were kind of late to the party and chose Labor Day weekend. Couple that with an East Tennessee cold front and it made for a pretty chilly night. We did have a family drive all the way from Wisconsin to attend the event. They saw it on Facebook a couple days before and headed our way."
Hollywood's most famous 3-ton shark will cruise into Tom Fuller Park this year on Saturday night, July 7, when "Jaws on the Water" is held for the second year. There will be an area of the lake cordoned off for floaters, and behind it, boaters may anchor to watch the movie sponsored by Rockwood Parks and Recreation and the city of Rockwood.
Moviegoers should arrive and check in about 7 p.m. at the park's main boat ramp. Shuttles will drive floaters to the drop-off location to enter the water. Floaters will be allowed entry one hour prior to the start of the movie. Everyone is required to wear a life vest, and are responsible for bringing their own.
Everyone must sign a release form in order to be permitted in the water. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent.
For more information: 865-354-0611.