Jimmy, Rosalynn Carter surprise parade crowd at Georgia festival

Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, made a surprise appearance in Plains, Ga., on Saturday despite their ailing health, waving to crowds gathered for the Peanut Festival parade.

The Carters' unexpected visit happened along Main Street in Plains during the 26th annual festival marking the harvest of biggest cash crop in the former president's home town.

Thousands of visitors were in the small community as the festival began one week before Jimmy Carter was due to turn 99.

The Carter Center in Atlanta posted a short video to X, showing the former president's large black SUV rolling slowly down the street as the Carters sat in the back with the windows rolled down.

Cheering crowds stood underneath red, white and blue bunting draped along the banisters above them.

To help celebrate the upcoming event, the Carter Center posted a virtual birthday card allowing the public to share thoughts in honor of the longest-living former president.

Jimmy Carter has suffered ongoing health problems for several years due to complications from cancer. Rosalynn Carter has dementia, according to a statement issued by the Carter family in May.

The couple celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary in July after the former president announced in February that he would enter hospice care during his remaining days.

Last month, the Carters' grandson, Jason Carter, said in an interview that the family patriarch was "in the final chapter."