Liberty, NY – March 4, 2026 – The Sullivan County Visitors Association (SCVA) proudly announces the recipients of its new Tourism Event Grants, an initiative designed to spark fresh ideas, elevate signature events and drive year-round visitation throughout the Sullivan Catskills.
The Tourism Event Grant Program supports festivals, cultural gatherings, outdoor experiences and community celebrations to attract visitors, generate overnight stays and deepen the authentic sense of real, rooted place that defines Sullivan County. By investing in locally led events, SCVA continues to strengthen the region’s tourism economy while ensuring the Sullivan Catskills remains vibrant in every season.
“Tourism in the Sullivan Catskills is powered by the people who live and create here,” said Michael Martelon, President & CEO of the Sullivan County Visitors Association. “These grant recipients embody the independent spirit of our region. Their events invite visitors to truly experience the Catskills — its creativity, its culture and its heart.”
The selected recipients, representing communities from Sullivan County’s river towns to mountain hamlets, will receive funding to enhance and expand events that reflect the region’s creative undercurrent, natural beauty and welcoming spirit.
Celebrating This Year’s Grant Recipients
Roomnight Focused
- Eddie Adams Workshop Org, Inc.: Offers tuition-free, intensive workshops that mentor emerging photojournalists and visual storytellers.
- Forestburgh Playhouse: Produces Broadway-quality musicals, plays and youth programming each season in a historic Catskills theatre.
Arts & Culture:
- Bethel Woods Center for the Arts: Operates as a nonprofit cultural campus at the historic 1969 Woodstock site, presenting concerts, arts education and museum programming that celebrate music history and inspire creativity.
- Borscht Belt Historical Marker Project: Preserves and commemorates the legacy of the Borscht Belt era through historical markers and educational storytelling across Sullivan County.
- Delaware Highlands Conservancy: Protects farmland, forests, wildlife habitat and scenic landscapes throughout the Upper Delaware River region through land conservation and community partnerships.
- Forestburgh Playhouse: Produces Broadway-quality musicals, plays and youth programming each season in a historic Catskills theatre.
- Weekend of Chamber Music: Presents world-class chamber music performances and educational outreach programs throughout Sullivan County.
Events & Festivals:
- Delaware Youth Center: Provides educational, recreational and leadership programs that support the growth and well-being of local youth and families.
- Shandelee Music Festival: Hosts an annual summer chamber music festival featuring internationally acclaimed classical musicians in an intimate Catskills setting.
- Sullivan Public: Delivers digital news coverage focused on community, culture and current events across Sullivan County.
- Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce: Advocates for local businesses while promoting economic development, tourism and networking opportunities throughout the county.
- The Delaware Company of New York, Inc.: Strengthens the hamlet of Narrowsburg through community development, beautification projects and local economic initiatives.
- Town of Mamakating: Provides municipal services, planning oversight and governance for town residents.
- Wurtsboro Board of Trade: Promotes local businesses, organizes community events and supports economic vitality in the village of Wurtsboro.
Hamlet & Micro-Brand:
- Gael Roots Community Farm: Advances regenerative agriculture while providing fresh food access, agricultural education and community programming throughout the Catskills.
- Upper Delaware Council, Inc.: Brings together local, state and federal partners to coordinate river management, conservation efforts and stakeholder collaboration along the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor.
- Wurtsboro Board of Trade: Promotes local businesses, organizes community events and supports economic vitality in the village of Wurtsboro.
Looking Ahead: Phase II Applications Open Soon
With this first round of awards setting the tone for a dynamic year ahead, SCVA now turns its focus to inviting more organizations, creatives and event organizers to take part in shaping the next chapter of tourism in the Sullivan Catskills.
“Our goal is simple,” Martelon said. “We’re investing in events that inspire travel, create meaningful economic impact and turn first-time visitors into repeat guests. A thriving destination is rooted in the communities that give it life.”
Phase II Timeline:
- Application Opens: March 9, 2026
- Due Date: April 14, 2026
- Review Period: April 14 – May 11, 2026
- Awards Announced: May 15, 2026
- Funds Distributed: June 2026
- Reports Due: Within 60 days post-project
Phase II continues SCVA’s commitment to supporting high-quality tourism events that demonstrate measurable impact and strong promotional plans.
Eligible Uses of Grant Funds
Tourism Event Grant funds may be used for event marketing, advertising, promotional materials and visitor-facing enhancements designed to attract out-of-market audiences.
Grant funds may not be used for:
- Operational or administrative overhead unrelated to event marketing
- Capital improvements or permanent infrastructure
- Equipment purchases not directly tied to marketing efforts
- Salaries or payroll expenses
- Debt repayment
- Political or lobbying activities
- Alcohol purchases
- Reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to grant approval
Applicants are encouraged to review full eligibility requirements and program guidelines online.
