Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter's Unforgettable Georgia Festival Visit Sparks Excitement as Former President Approaches 99th Birthday, Reveals Carter Center

Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, joyfully participated in the Plains Peanut Festival in Plains, Georgia, according to a statement by the Carter Center. This delightful event took place on a beautiful day, just a week before President Carter's 99th birthday. As they rode through the festival in an SUV, surrounded by enthusiastic festival-goers, it is likely that peanut butter ice cream would be a delightful addition to their lunch menu. The Carter Center shared a video of this wonderful moment on social media, capturing the excitement and admiration for President Carter as he nears this remarkable milestone. #JimmyCarter99

Erikka Bettis Williams, the person who captured the video, expressed her astonishment at the unexpected presence of the Carters.

"The situation took everyone by complete surprise! Initially, the crowd was slow to react since they were unaware of the Carters' presence. It was an incredibly pleasant surprise, and, yes, we even sang Happy Birthday!" Williams shared with CNN.

In this still taken from a video, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, appear at the Plains Peanut Festival parade in Plains, Georgia, on September 23, 2023.

Erikka Bettis Williams

Former President Jimmy Carter, who will be turning 99 on October 1st, started receiving hospice care in February. Although he successfully overcame brain cancer in 2015, he experienced a series of health concerns throughout 2019. As a result, he underwent a surgical procedure to alleviate pressure on his brain.

In a recent interview with People, the grandson of the Carters stated, "It is evident that we have reached the last chapter."

According to Josh Carter, the only individuals who have visited the Carters Plains home lately are family members and caregivers, as reported by People magazine.

Josh Carter mentioned that his grandmother, Rosalynn Carter, who is affected by dementia, is aware of her condition. "She mostly recognizes us as her family," he added.

Having been married for 77 years, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter hold the record for being the longest-married presidential couple.

Jimmy Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, and spent his childhood in the neighboring community of Archery. Prior to entering politics, he worked as a peanut farmer and served as a Navy lieutenant. As a Democrat, he served as governor of Georgia for one term and held the position of president from 1977 to 1981.

This story includes contribution from CNN's Shania Shelton.