Hudson Valley resident Robert De Niro cracked jokes and had kind words to say about the area Thursday.

De Niro helped out Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Sullivan County for the inaugural Catskill Summer Challenge. A event that will highlight the world-class attractions and activities readily available in the Catskills, with the goal of increasing tourism and boasting the regions economy.

The academy award winning actor, who owns a home in the Catskills, said he wants everyone in the world to discover it, as long as they go home after their vacations.

De Niro was full of jokes as he opened up for Gov. Cuomo at Bethel Woods. "So a man goes to a psychiatrist. The doctor says, 'You're crazy.' The man says, 'I want a second opinion.' The doctor says, 'OK, you're ugly, too," he said as the took the stage according to the Democrat & Chronicle.

Another joke he said was, "My wife and I went back to the hotel where we spent our wedding night, only this time, I stayed in the bathroom and cried."

Before the event the Governor unveiled a number of initiatives that will continue to support the growth of tourism in the region. Including a $5 million ad campaign featuring a new “I Love New York” television ad and advertisements on MTA’s subways, buses and commuter rails focused on the Catskills, and new funding for municipal projects and hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants to help Catskill communities strengthen their tourism infrastructure.

At the event, Cuomo announced that the state will nominate the site of the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair’s location in Bethel to the State and National Registers of Historic Places.

The Woodstock festival drew an audience of over 400,000 people and is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in popular music history.

“The Catskills are one of New York’s greatest natural treasures, and today we are shining the spotlight on what makes this region so special,” Gov. Cuomo said. "This challenge is about showcasing the Catskills’ natural assets – its pristine lakes, breathtaking views and scenic trails – to drive tourism, support local businesses and generate continued economic growth. We are investing in this region like never before and I am proud to continue that focus so that tourism remains a source of economic prosperity and opportunity in the Hudson Valley for years to come.”

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