Welcome to the Watermelon Capital of the WORLD!

The Watermelon Days Festival offers over thirty activities, with something for everyone, during the celebration of our favorite fruit, which has made us so famous. We hold the festival to honor the farmers, growers, brokers, and buyers because our watermelon industry is a tremendous economic engine for our community.

Our title “Watermelon Capital of the World” was challenged in the early ’90s by Hope, Arkansas, and Hempstead, Texas. The competition was tough, but Cordele-Crisp County proved that we truly have the best melons anywhere in the WORLD and proudly retained our title. Our melons were deemed as the crispest, juiciest, and sweetest. This is due to the hot, dry nights and the type of soil in Crisp County. Over 200 million pounds of melons are grown and shipped from our community each year.

We hope you will come and check out our CRISP slice of life!

Schedule of Events:

May 31, 2025

8am-10am: Billy Williams Memorial Kiwanis at Cordele Motor Speedway
Fishing Rodeo Sponsor: Cordele Kiwanis Club 229-947-2277

June 5, 2025

6:30pm: $ Kiwanis Club Talent Showcase at Crisp County High School Cafetorium
Sponsor: Cordele Kiwanis Club 229-947-2277

June 7, 2025

$$ GA vs FL Pro Truck Race Classic at Cordele Motor Speedway
Sponsor: Cordele Motor Speedway 229-938-8814

June 7,8,14,15,21 & 22nd

$$ Day Out with Thomas at Georgia Veterans Depot
Info Call: SAM Shortline 229-276-0755

June 12, 2025

6:30pm: $$ "This is Your Life" - Frank Olson at Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club
Sponsored by: Watermelon Festival Committee 229-273-1668

June 17, 2025

10:00am: WALB Noon Show (Filmed) at Lake Blackshear Resort and Golf Club
Will Air: June 27th at 12:30pm Sponsor: WALB, Tourism, & Chamber 229-273-1668

June 18, 2025

9am: $$ Crisp County 4-H Dog Show at Community Clubhouse
Sponsor: Crisp County 4-H 229-276-2612 Pre-registration required by June 11th

11:00am: Reading with the Watermelon Queens at Cordele Carnegie Library

June 21, 2025

8:00am: Cordele Watermelon Road Race 5K 8:00am & 1 Mile Fun Run 8:15 am at Destiny Fitness
Sponsor: Destiny Fitness 229-513-3052

10am - 4pm: Watermelon Scavenger Hunt at Georgia Veterans State Park
Start at Visitors Center 229-276-1004

June 27, 2025

7:30am: Watermelon Walk at Perry G. Busbee Walking Track
Sponsor: Crisp Regional Health Services 229-276-3284

7:00pm: $$ Music Bingo at Cypress Grill

June 28, 2025

Watermelon Festival Parade:

Lineup will be at 7:30 a.m. at South Gate Shopping Center.
The parade route will begin at the corner of 6th Street & 15th Avenue and travel East on 15th Ave ending at Owens St.

The parade begins at 9:00 a.m.

All entries except "Government Agencies"(Sheriff, Police, Fire Dept.) must submit a fee of $20.00 with the application.

Click here for Parade Registration

9:00am - 5:00pm: Watermelon Days Arts, Crafts, and Food Vendors at Georgia Veterans State Park
Resort and Golf Club Linda Hawkins 229-276-1004

10:00am - 5:00pm: Watermelon Days Entertainment at Georgia Veterans State Park
Resort and Golf Club Linda Hawkins 229-276-1004

10:00am - 2:00pm: Watermelon Days Car & Truck Display at Georgia Veterans State Park
Sponsor: Cordele Cruisers Car Club Gene Arnett 229-322-1621

10am - 2pm: Crisp County 4-H Watermelon Slice Giveaway at Georgia Veterans State Park
Sponsor: Crisp County 4-H

11:30am: Jr. Watermelon Eating Contest at Georgia Veterans State Park
Sponsor: Cordele Lions Club

2:00pm: Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest at Georgia Veterans State Park
Sponsor: Ga. Watermelon Association 229-273-1688

7:30pm: July Turner Band at Cypress Grill
$Live Entertainment 229-276-1004

Call 229-273-1668 for more information.

Date: June 28, 2025

Location: Various Venue in Cordele

Click here for more information