SULLIVAN COUNTY – The Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project is thrilled to announce two special Fall events celebrating the newest additions to its growing series of historic markers. These gatherings will honor the iconic legacy of the legendary Borscht Belt era with dynamic arts and cultural programming including photography, music, film, food, and storytelling. Everyone is invited to join in the celebration.

Sunday, October 5 – Parksville Marker Dedication & “Meet Me in Parksville!”

Location: Intersection of Old Route 17, Short Avenue & Cooley Road, Parksville

2pm: Dedication Ceremony

3-4pm: “Meet Me in Parksville!”

Celebrate the dedication of the Marker Project’s 14th historic marker, honoring the hamlet of Parksville and its place in Borscht Belt history. This marker honors Parksville’s transformation from a farming community into a vibrant resort area after the arrival of the O&W Railroad. Notably, the Young’s Gap Hotel, which opened in 1928 as one of the first all-inclusive, year-round resorts, offered amenities like an indoor pool and theater and was featured in the 1950 film Catskill Honeymoon. Parksville also hosted numerous entertainers such as Bobby Darin and the Barry Sisters.

The marker also recognizes the decline of the resort era and the construction of Route 17 in the 1960s. Parksville’s Borscht-era legacy includes about 65 hotels and 14 bungalow colonies, including the African American resort Sunset Acres.

Post-Dedication Festivities Continue! – “Meet Me in Parksville!”

•  Live music celebrating the essence of the Borscht Belt and beyond at New Memories/Conflux Gallery Art Collective (862 Parksville Road) in partnership with the Parksville Art Center.

• Local wine and cider served; themed food available for purchase from Double Up.

• Special screening of the 1950 film Catskill Honeymoon; filmed on location atParksville’s Young’s Gap Hotel, this vibrant period piece captures classic Catskills life with scenes of golf, tennis, calisthenics, and sunbathers. Film courtesy of The G. William Jones Film and Video Collection, Southern Methodist University.

Saturday, October 18 – Livingston Manor Marker Dedication & Illustrated Talk, “Wish You Were Here: Tracing the Resort Era in Livingston Manor”

Location: Intersection of Main & Pearl Streets, Livingston Manor

2pm: Dedication Ceremony

3:30pm: Illustrated talk: “Wish You Were Here: Tracing the Resort Era in Livingston Manor” at Catskill Art Space

Celebrate the dedication of the Marker Project’s 15th historic marker, saluting Livingston Manor’s pioneering and youthful spirit. This marker celebrates the Manor’s role during the Borscht Belt’s Golden Age (1940–1965), when it hosted around 41 hotels and 12 bungalow colonies.

With the Catskills known for its family-friendly resorts, Livingston Manor featured unique accommodations such as White Roe, a lakeside camp-style resort for young guests, and the Waldemere, a mid-century retreat catering to singles and couples.

The marker also highlights the tradition of “tummlers,” entertainers who kept guests engaged with notable names such as Danny Kaye, Mel Brooks, and Lenny Bruce starting out in the region as tummlers. Livingston Manor’s legacy includes over 41 hotels such as Edgemont Inn, Chan-Al (now the Arnold House), Menges Lakeside, Switko’s, Trojan Lake Lodge and 12 bungalow colonies.

3:30pm at Catskill Art Space (48 Main Street) “Wish You Were Here: Tracing the Resort Era in Livingston Manor.”

Join photographers Isaac Jeffreys and Marisa Scheinfeld for a vibrant visual presentation that brings Livingston Manor’s resort-era history to life. Featuring rarely seen photographs, artifacts, and archival film, this illustrated lecture offers a deep dive into the people, places, and pivotal moments that defined Catskills culture and its lasting influence on American life. Jeffreys and Scheinfeld will also preview select works from their forthcoming publications.

These events are free, open to the public and part of the Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project’s mission to preserve the history, legacy and future of the Catskills’ legendary vacationland. These community gatherings are designed to connect the past and present, while honoring the region’s enduring spirit through education, history, adventure, and dialogue.

For more information, visit: www.maytheborschtbewithyou.org.