official site for the city of cordele, ga
"SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY"
June 2026 will mark Cordele's 77th year celebrating the bountiful summer harvest with the "Watermelon Days Festival". Visitors come from near and far to enjoy events such as the Watermelon Festival Parade, "This is Your Life", Junior Watermelon Eating Contest, Seed Spitting Contest, Classic Car Show, Crisp County 4-H Dog Show, Watermelon Scavenger Hunt, Kiwanis Talent Showcase and so much more.
If you happen to be one of those visitors, be sure to take a ride on the SAM shortline excursion train where the vintage 1949 air conditioned cars take you back in time to the very first year Cordele hosted the Watermelon Days Festival. Depending on which day you choose to take the 45 mile trip from Cordele to Archery, stops may include the Georgia Veteran's State Park at Lake Blackshear, Leslie, Americus and/or Plains, home of President Jimmy Carter.
More details and event application downloads will be coming soon!