Cordele
Around Cordele
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Town and around · Georgia · 19k people
Cordele
“Watermelon Capital of the World”, “Heart of South Georgia”
Where every day is a slice of summer
Watermelon RedWatermelon Rind Green
Welcome to Cordele, the Watermelon Capital! Enjoy the small-town charm, the lakeside fun, and the sweet taste of summer. Whether you're here for the festival or just passing through, you'll find friendly folks and good food.
Clubs for Cordele
No clubs for Cordele yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cordele. 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 Cordele. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Georgia Veterans State Park State park on Lake Blackshear with camping, golf, and a museum.
- Crisp County Courthouse Historic courthouse in the center of Cordele's downtown square.
- Cordele Commercial Historic District Early 20th-century storefronts and the old train depot.
- Sam Shortline Excursion Train Heritage railroad offering scenic rides to Plains and back.
- Lake Blackshear Large reservoir popular for fishing, boating, and lakeside recreation.
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Blackshear
- Outdoors Boating on Lake Blackshear
- With kids Sam Shortline Excursion Train
- With kids Georgia Veterans State Park
- Evenings Listen to live music at a local bar
- Evenings Dance at a country music venue
- Locals love Small-town squares
- Locals love Barbecue joints
Through the year
- Watermelon Festival June Celebrates the local watermelon harvest with games, food, and contests.
- Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown Cordele with floats and lights.
- Lake Blackshear Fishing Tournaments Spring through Fall Regular bass and crappie tournaments on the lake.
- Crisp County Fair October County fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits.
- Sam Shortline Special Events Seasonal Themed train rides (e.g., murder mystery, holiday) on the heritage railroad.
Hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal with mild temps and lower humidity.
Getaways
- Americus and Plains Historic downtown, Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, and the Sam Shortline's western terminus.
- Albany Chehaw Park & Zoo, Flint River, and the Albany Museum of Art.
- Tifton Georgia Agrirama living history museum and the Coastal Plains Research Station.
- Macon Music heritage, Ocmulgee Mounds, and the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Local flavour
Rooting for Georgia Bulldogs football, Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons
Eat and drink
- Watermelon Fresh slices, watermelon rind pickles, and watermelon-flavored treats are summer staples.
- Boiled Peanuts A Southern roadside favorite, often sold at stands along the highways.
- Sweet Tea The quintessential Southern drink, served over ice with lemon.
- Pecan Pie Georgia's state dessert, made with local pecans.
Where people go
- Small-town squares Historic courthouse squares with local shops and a sense of community.
- Watermelon fields Vast fields where watermelons are grown, especially around Crisp and Dooly counties.
- Pecan groves Orchards of pecan trees that are a staple of Georgia agriculture.
- Barbecue joints Smoke-filled pits serving pulled pork and ribs, a Southern tradition.
- Country stores Old-fashioned general stores with creaky floors and a little bit of everything.
Heritage and traditions
Cordele proudly wears the title 'Watermelon Capital of the World,' celebrating its agricultural roots and the warm, close-knit communities of Crisp and Dooly counties. The area also cherishes its railroad heritage and the natural beauty of Lake Blackshear.
This time of year in Cordele
- Fall: Peanut harvest Fall Farmers bring in the crop.
- Fall: Hunting season Fall Deer and quail hunting.
- Lake Blackshear Bluegrass Festival Fall Features local and regional bluegrass bands at Georgia Veterans State Park.
- Sam Shortline's Pumpkin Patch Express October Special fall-themed excursion train.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to do something
Festivals
- Lake Blackshear Bluegrass Festival Fall Features local and regional bluegrass bands at Georgia Veterans State Park.
- Cordele Christmas in the Park December Drive-through light display at Lake Blackshear.
- Vienna's Dooly County Courthouse Christmas Open House December Historic courthouse decorated for the season.
- Crisp County Livestock Show Spring Youth showcase cattle and other livestock.
- Sam Shortline's Pumpkin Patch Express October Special fall-themed excursion train.
- Cordele's Independence Day Fireworks July 4th Fireworks over Lake Blackshear.
Landmarks with a story
- Cordele Carnegie Library One of the few Carnegie libraries in Georgia, now a cultural center.
- Dooly County Courthouse 19th-century architecture in the heart of Vienna.
- First Baptist Church of Cordele Historic congregation with a prominent steeple.
- Cordele Union Station Restored train station that anchors the historic district.
- Vienna Historic District Victorian-era homes and storefronts.
- Arabi Baptist Church Small-town church with a long history.
Food traditions
- Watermelon rind pickles A Southern way to use the whole watermelon, often served at family gatherings.
- Fried catfish Fresh from Lake Blackshear, a Friday night staple.
- Grits and eggs A classic Southern breakfast, often with country ham.
- Pimento cheese A creamy spread for sandwiches, a picnic favorite.
- Collard greens with cornbread A New Year's Day tradition for good luck.
Music and arts
- Sacred Harp singing Shape-note singing tradition with local singings.
- Gospel music Strong tradition in local churches.
- Bluegrass Played at festivals and gatherings.
- Country music Local bands perform at venues and events.
A little history
- 1887 Cordele founded as a railroad town
- 1930s Lake Blackshear created
- 1920s Watermelon industry booms
- Early 1900s Cotton and peanut farming diversify agriculture
- 1940s Sam Shortline railroad operates
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Blackshear
- Outdoors Boating on Lake Blackshear
- With kids Riding the Sam Shortline
- With kids Swimming at Lake Blackshear
Locals speak with a Southern drawl, often using phrases like 'y'all' and 'fixin' to.' The name 'Cordele' is pronounced 'Cor-DEEL.'
Only here
- Watermelon-shaped water tower - the Cordele water tower is painted like a watermelon.
- Sam Shortline Excursion Train - rides on a historic railroad line.
- Lake Blackshear's 'Little Grand Canyon' - a scenic area with cliffs.
- Annual Watermelon Festival - includes a watermelon eating contest and parade.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the heat and humidity, especially in summer.
- Try a slice of watermelon from a local stand.
- Take a ride on the Sam Shortline Excursion Train.
- Get to know your neighbors; the community is friendly.
- Be aware of afternoon thunderstorms in summer.
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Nearby
Every areaAmericusGeorgiaWhere the peanut fields meet a warm Southern welcome.HawkinsvilleGeorgiaThe friendly heart of Georgia's farm countryAlbanyGeorgiaWhere the Flint River winds through pecan groves.FitzgeraldGeorgiaWhere North and South meet in Southern harmony.TiftonGeorgiaWhere the fields are green and the welcome is warmer.Warner RobinsGeorgiaPeaches, pecans, and the hum of the flight line.MoultrieGeorgiaHome of the Packers and the sweetest tea.MaconGeorgiaThe friendly heart of Georgia.
Cordele, GA. 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.