As the "Watermelon Capital of the World," Cordele is vibrant during the summer as the watermelon crop is harvested and shipped nationwide. The most prominent watermelons grown in Crisp County are seedless, red watermelons. Over 200,000,000 pounds of melons are shipped from Cordele-Crisp County each year. Watermelon is one of the largest USA's cash crops, Cordele's State Farmers market is a major watermelon shipping point as well as a shopping destination for persons seeking fresh produce. In 1949, the community organized the first festival to celebrate the harvest of this delicious fruit. In 2015, we will celebrate the 66th Annual Watermelon Festival with over thirty events scheduled, ranging from a pageant to melon-eating contests, seed-spitting competitions, a fishing tournament, a dog show, and much more. The community's annual Watermelon Festival is just one reason to visit the Watermelon Capitol of the World. There's something for the whole family.
