Butterfly Daze 2026 Weekend Schedule

Please note: **Asterisks indicate a ticketed event. Tickets are available in our store here. Otherwise, Butterfly Daze Weekend events are free and open to the public.

SATURDAY AUGUST 15

8:00 AM: ROSALYNN CARTER MEMORIAL FOOD DISTRIBUTION  

Where: Historic Plains Inn Parking Lot, 106 Main Street

Years ago, Mrs. Carter, along with a few women from Maranatha Baptist Church, discovered neighbors in need of extra food and began helping to fill their cupboards. Now, the community of Plains and Sumter County help to serve over 200 families each month as a part of the Rosalynn Carter Memorial Food Distribution on the 3rd Saturday of each month. All ages and abilities are welcome to volunteer. Come help us serve our neighbors in need in memory of the First Lady from Plains!

11:00 AM: BUTTERFLY GARDEN HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

Where: Rosalynn Smith Carter Childhood Garden. Located on Rosalynn Carter Trail/Bond Street beside the Rosalynn Carter Childhood Home

Come learn about butterflies and pollinators—an important part of Rosalynn’s love for our environment—and plant your own pollinators to take home! Plus, come see and take photos with the beautiful Dancing Monarchs sculpture installed for Rosalynn’s 95th birthday while enjoying refreshments and face painting for all ages. 

11:00 AM - 2:00 PM: LUNCH AT THE BUFFALO CAFE

Where: The Buffalo Cafe, 118 Main Street

12:00 PM: LUNCH WITH LINCOLN

Where: Plains Community Center, 106 Main Street

Presidential historian Larry Cook and the only living known descendant of Abraham Lincoln team up for stories of history and Lincoln over lunch. More info at the ticket link here!

1:30, 2:30, or 3:30 PM: COOKING WITH THE FIRST LADIES’ MAN & ROSALYNN’S FAMILY**

Where: Mother Allie’s House (Rosalynn’s Historic Childhood Home)

Join us for the second year of cooking demonstrations, history lessons, and a song with Rosalynn’s family and the First Ladies’ Man, all inside the childhood home of Rosalynn Carter! More info and tickets here!

6:00 PM: PRESIDENTIAL DESCENDANTS VIP RECEPTION

7:00 PM: GIVE ‘EM HELL HARRY PLAY WITH TRUMAN’S GRANDSON CLIFTON TRUMAN DANIEL

Where: Plains High School, 300 N. Bond Street

Join Truman’s grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, for a witty one-man stage play about his grandfather, President Harry Truman. VIP tickets are limited and include a reception with several Presidential Descendants. More info at the General Admission ticket link here. VIP tickets available here.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 16

11:00 AM: “ROSALYNN” SUNDAY COMMUNITY-WIDE SERVICE & FELLOWSHIP

Where: Plains Methodist Church, 301 W. Church Street

Come join us for a community wide service and fellowship at Plains Methodist Church, the church where President and Mrs. Carter were married in 1946! The sermon will be taught by Rosalynn’s niece-in-law, Courtney Wall. Potluck dinner and birthday cake to follow the service.

1:30 PM: WREATH LAYING CEREMONY

Where: The Carter Gardens, 1 Woodland Drive

Join us for a special wreath-laying ceremony at Rosalynn’s grave.