Stay Updated from Plains: Jimmy Carter’s 100th Birthday

PLAINS, Ga. ( WRBL ) — Former President Jimmy Carter turned 100-years-old on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

WRBL is down in Plains to cover the festivities. This article will be updated as the day carries on.

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6:00 p.m.

The Dedication Ceremony wrapped up with seven cannons being fired off before the public was invited to view the new Declaration of Independence monument displayed on Main Street.

Jimmy Carter’s birthday night is set to be concluded with live music.

5:00 p.m.

The Charters of Freedom Dedication Ceremony began around 4:30 p.m. with the National Anthem. Various speakers line the streets, awaiting their turn behind the microphone.

Attendees range from Georgia politicians to high school bands. The full list is above.

4:15 p.m.

Back on Main Street, the birthday festivities carried on. Fold-up chairs lined the street as music played through downtown in preparation of the Charters of Freedom Dedication Ceremony.

WRBL is preparing to go live. Tune into our 5/5:30/6 p.m. newscasts to see more from Plains.

2:30 p.m.

As Carter’s 100th birthday rolled on, WRBL had the chance to talk with two of his grandsons in a historic home adorned with photos of Rosalynn and Jimmy.

Josh Carter and James Carter told WRBL how their grandfather’s day was going. They said the family spent lunch together, having caramel cake and peanut butter ice cream for their “papa’s” 100th birthday.

The family sung “Happy Birthday” to Jimmy Carter, and when WRBL asked what his reaction was, a grandson responded “he just smiled.”

It was one of the highlights of his birthday, the grandsons said. Another highlight included the military fly-over.

More details from this exclusive interview coming up tonight on News 3.

12:45 p.m.

All eyes were towards the sky during the military fly-over on Carter’s 100th birthday.

12:15 p.m.

Back over on Main Street, the town of Plains had woken up as locals and not-so-locals gathered for the military fly-over.

The area is lively, with older residents and younger children alike planting lawn chairs on the grass.

A cup of peanut butter ice cream is a common fixture this sunny day.

We’ll have photos and video of the flyover once it begins.

11:30 a.m.

Come 11 a.m., the auditorium of Plains High School was standing-room-only as 100 citizens from 30 different countries were welcomed in a Naturalization Ceremony held on Jimmy Carter’s 100th birthday.

The National Anthem was sung before each participant’s country was recognized. As all 30 countries resounded into the microphone, the individual from that country rose from their seat.

Come the end of that list, people from all ends of the planet stood together.

They went on to cite the Oath of Allegiance — a staple of all Naturalization Ceremonies in the U.S, along with the Pledge of Allegiance.

When it came to Jimmy Carter, he was referred to as “a man of the people.”

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services District Director Denise Frazier helped welcome in this naturalization group. WRBL had the chance to speak with her – she closed out the interview by saying “Thank you for celebrating our new citizens and our 39th president’s 100th birthday.”

We’ll have more on Frazier’s thoughts about the ceremony later on.

10:45 a.m.

Plains High School was packed as the town prepared for a Naturalization Ceremony at 11 a.m.

One-hundred new citizens are involved in this ceremony.

10:15 a.m.

There are events scheduled beginning at 11 a.m. where at Plains High School, a Naturalization Ceremony will be held for those becoming U.S. citizens. Shortly after 12 p.m., there’s expected to be a military fly-over down Main Street here in Plains.

There will be a dedication later this afternoon of a new monument with the Declaration of Independence. There is also a concert scheduled tonight.

Right now, Plains is still a bit sleepy. Signs wishing the town’s most-famous resident a happy birthday grace many of the storefronts Main Street.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL.