Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter spotted

Festival goers in Plains were in for a surprise Saturday when former President Jimmy Carter and his wife First Lady Rosalynn Carter made an appearance at the annual Peanut Festival. The couple took a ride in their SUV, greeting everyone who stood along the parade route. This comes just a week before Carter's 99th birthday, and nearly seven months after it was announced he would seek home hospice care.

PLAINS, Ga. - In a heartwarming surprise, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn were spotted taking part in the Peanut Festival in their hometown of Plains.

Twitter user Erikka captured the couple riding along in their SUV, waving to the crowd and enjoying the annual event.

The appearance comes just a week shy of Carter's 99th birthday, and nearly seven months after it was announced that he would seek home hospice care. A few months later, it was revealed that his wife, Rosalynn, had been diagnosed with dementia.

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Despite their health challenges, it was uplifting to see Georgia's beloved couple out and about, and taking part in the festivities.