PARKSVILLE, NY — What sound does a chicken make? 

“B’Kawk!” of course.

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On August 19, several of the folks involved in transforming Parksville, a sleepy little community some call a ghost town, into a destination for hospitality, entertainment and local business enterprises, staged the second annual B’Kawk Festival on the lawn at what will soon be Marlowe and Eddie’s Community Market at 29 Main St.

The primary movers and shakers in bringing Parksville back to life are a quartet of community-minded partners: Todd and Adrian Perlmutter, along with Lauren Radel and Patrick Dopke.

According to the Perlmutters, the construction of Marlowe and Eddie’s is scheduled to start at the end of the summer to “provide a space for our hospitality and entertainment businesses. And also a place for other local businesses to set up.”

They are “thrilled to contribute to the renaissance of Parksville,” and are “looking forward to adding our ideas to this already inspiring community.”

But back to the chicken-focused festival—a gathering that featured live bands, lots of activities for kids (underwritten in part by Sullivan 180), chicken delights for the hungry and a car show.

“The four of us wanted to do something that was a combination of family and adult fun, bring some life to this ghost town,” said Todd Perlmutter.

He and Adrian are both artists and musicians, and moved to Parksville from the city because there are “a lot of cool, artistic people here.”

So why chickens as a festival theme?

“Adrian went to a pickle festival in Rosendale some time ago, and they had the whole town out,” recalled Todd. He went on to explain that they raise chickens, and thought, “No matter where you sit on the chicken line, it’s hard to dislike them.”

According to Adrian Perlmutter, “Everybody seemed to be having a great time.” 

She’s interested in benefiting the community. “There’s such a need for entertainment and things to do… It’s exciting to be part of that renaissance in Parksville and Sullivan County.”

Members of the Any Make Any Model Car Club (AMAMCC) were on hand to display their cherished rides. 

The trophy winners included Cody Borden’s 1986 Monte Carlo Aero Coupe (AMAMCC Club Choice), Neil Davidson’s 1965 Ford Mustang (Best of Show and Kid’s Choice), and Mike Hammel’s 1996 Ford Mustang Saleen (B’Kawk Choice).

Les Stone, an internationally respected photojournalist, was on hand to take black-and-white portraits “like in the old days” of festivalgoers as a fundraiser for Parksville.

“It needs to come back,” he said of Parksville. “It was a beautiful town once, and it will be beautiful again.”

Amy Brightfield represented WJFF Radio Catskill, and assisted Stone in registering folks for their unique portraits.

“We’re trying to revitalize the town,” she said. “Cabernet Franks is the cornerstone, and a lot of people have bought properties here… we’re getting the momentum going, getting the word out that this is a great little town, a place to go and listen to music and see art.”

For more information about upcoming Parksville B’Kawk! festivals or to sign up as a sponsor to keep the event free, email the organizers at theparksvillebkawk@gmail.com 

To learn more about the AMAMCC, call club president Tom Matthews at 845/985-7162, or visit the club’s Facebook page.

For the rest of this story and more photos, visit www.riverreporter.com.