There is nothing quite as special as the bond between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Friday, Clanton Elementary welcomed all grandparents of students to visit the school, where they enjoyed activities and refreshments with their grandkids and posed for family portraits.

In all, the school had 846 visitors Friday.

“To me, it’s exciting,” said Linda Adams, grandmother of Clanton Elementary first-grader Raelyn Parker. “It’s kind of like going back and getting to enjoy your kid’s childhood one more time through your grandchildren.”

Gene Martin, grandfather of first-grader Collin Fulmer, said he thought the event was well organized.

“I want to compliment the school on doing this,” he said. “This means a lot to the grandparents to get to see their child in the classroom. We get to see how they’re progressing from one year to the next.”

It is an annual tradition for the school to observe Grandparents Day, which falls on Sunday, Sept. 13 this year. While not as recognizable as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, the occasion has been celebrated nationally since 1978.

Principal Rebecca Threlkeld thanked all participating parents and grandparents, as well as the Clanton Elementary PTO for helping organize the event.

“We applaud the grandparents who participated. We just hope they will feel welcome to visit our school anytime,” she said.