Paragould
Around Paragould
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Town and around · Arkansas · 46k people
Paragould
“Peach Capital of Arkansas”
Where peaches and Southern hospitality grow
Arkansas Razorbacks cardinal red
Welcome to Paragould, where the pace is easy and the people are friendly. Come for the small-town charm and stay for the catfish and sweet tea.
Clubs for Paragould
No clubs for Paragould yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Paragould. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Paragould. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Crowley's Ridge State Park Hiking, camping, and a lake on Crowley's Ridge.
- Lake Frierson State Park Fishing, boating, and picnic areas.
- Old Davidsonville State Park Historic site with trails and a river.
- Powhatan Historic State Park Preserved 19th-century town site.
- Greene County Courthouse Historic courthouse on the town square.
- Paragould Historic District Downtown with shops and dining.
- Outdoors Hiking at Crowley's Ridge State Park
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Frierson
- With kids Picnicking at a state park
- With kids Visiting the Greene County Museum
- Evenings Evening walks on the downtown square
- Evenings Attending a local concert at a park
- Locals love Barbecue joints
- Locals love Peach orchards
Through the year
- Greene County Fair August Annual county fair with livestock, rides, and food.
- Walnut Ridge Beatles Festival September Celebrates the Beatles' 1964 stopover with live music and memorabilia.
- Old Davidsonville Rendezvous Spring Historical reenactment and pioneer skills demonstrations.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, muggy summers and mild winters. Best to be out in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temps and low humidity.
Talk like a local
- “crick”
- creek
- “fixin' to”
- about to
- “the Ridge”
- Crowley's Ridge
Getaways
- Jonesboro Larger city with dining, shopping, and Arkansas State University.
- Memphis Music, BBQ, and the Mississippi River.
- Poplar Bluff Historic downtown and outdoor recreation on the Black River.
- Blytheville Air museum and Delta culture.
Local flavour
Rooting for Arkansas Razorbacks (NCAA), Arkansas State Red Wolves (NCAA), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB)
Eat and drink
- barbecue especially ribs and pulled pork
- fried catfish often served with hushpuppies
- peach cobbler Paragould is known as the Peach Capital of Arkansas
- sweet tea a Southern staple
Where people go
- barbecue joints often family-run with smokers out back
- peach orchards especially around the annual Peach Festival
- small-town courthouse squares with historic buildings and community gatherings
- family diners serving Southern comfort food
Heritage and traditions
Paragould and its neighbors are proud of their deep Southern roots, the unique Crowley's Ridge landscape, and a quirky railroad history that gave the town its one-of-a-kind name.
This time of year in Paragould
- Deer hunting Fall Hunting season is a major fall tradition.
- Old Davidsonville Rendezvous Fall Living history event at the site of an early Arkansas town.
Say it like a local: “bless your heart” — sympathetic or condescending
Festivals
- Greene County Fair Summer Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Walnut Ridge Beatles Festival September Celebrates the Beatles' 1964 stop in Walnut Ridge.
- Paragould Peach Festival Summer Celebrates the local peach harvest with games and peach treats.
- Old Davidsonville Rendezvous Fall Living history event at the site of an early Arkansas town.
Landmarks with a story
- Crowley's Ridge College A private Christian college perched on the ridge, serving the region since 1964.
- Randolph County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Pocahontas, seat of Randolph County.
Food traditions
- Biscuits and gravy A hearty Southern breakfast staple, often served at local diners.
- Cornbread and pinto beans A humble, filling meal that reflects the area's agricultural roots.
- Chicken and dumplings Comfort food often made for church potlucks and family gatherings.
- Fried green tomatoes A Southern classic, sometimes served as an appetizer.
Music and arts
- Gospel music traditions Strong church-based gospel singing heritage.
- Country and bluegrass Local musicians play at community gatherings and festivals.
- Beatles tribute culture Walnut Ridge embraces its Beatles connection with statues and events.
A little history
- 1883 Paragould founded as a railroad town, named after railroad magnates J.W. Parrott and Jay Gould.
- 1964 The Beatles made an unscheduled stop at Walnut Ridge, now commemorated with a statue.
- 1800s Old Davidsonville was an early river settlement on the Black River.
- 1930s Crowley's Ridge State Park established, preserving the unique geological formation.
Rivalries
- Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves College football and basketball bragging rights.
- Paragould vs. Jonesboro High school football rivalry between neighboring towns.
- St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs Baseball fans split between the two teams.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Deer hunting season
- Outdoors Hiking Crowley's Ridge
- Outdoors Fishing at Lake Frierson
- With kids Visiting the Beatles statue
- With kids Going to the county fair
Locals speak with a gentle Southern drawl, using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The accent is typical of the Arkansas Delta with a relaxed, friendly tone.
Only here
- The name Paragould, a portmanteau of Parrott and Gould.
- The Beatles statue in Walnut Ridge.
- Crowley's Ridge, a 200-foot-tall geological anomaly.
- Old Davidsonville, a ghost town preserved as a state park.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- Be aware of tornadoes in spring and fall.
- People are friendly; don't be surprised by strangers saying hi.
- Try the local peach cobbler and fried catfish.
- Learn to pronounce Paragould as 'PAIR-uh-gold.'
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Part of Jonesboro area
Nearby
Every areaJonesboroArkansasWhere the Delta meets the RidgeKennettMissouriFlat, fertile, and friendlyPocahontasArkansasWhere the river meets the ridgeBlythevilleArkansasWhere the Delta meets the riverPoplar BluffMissouriWhere the Ozarks meet the riverBootheelMissouriDeep soil, wide skies, and the river's pull.DyersburgTennesseeWhere the Delta meets the river.BatesvilleArkansasWhere the hills meet the river and the welcome is warm.
Paragould, AR. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.