Friday, the Cass County COA is offering an event designed to transcend generations and close the gap between grandparents and their grandchildren.

Grandfest, which begins at 2 p.m. Friday at the COA’s Ed Lowe Crossing at M-60 and Decatur Road, is an opportunity for young and old alike to bond while enjoying activities like balloon animals, a climbing wall, hayrides, bounce houses and more.

While the event is open to everyone — not just grandparents and their grandchildren — we value the relationship between these two generations, and appreciate the Council on Aging’s efforts to help them bond.

A 2016 study by the Gerentological Society of America found that long-term relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren have a positive impact on both parties. The study found that for grandparents and grandchildren who spent a lot of time together, there were fewer depressive symptoms in the grandchildren as they aged. Grandparents also showed less depressive symptoms, benefiting from the company and affinity provided by their grandchildren.

Another study, executed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, found that grandparents ages 70 and older who babysat grandchildren regularly had a 37 percent lower mortality risk than those who did not.

When children spend time with their grandparents, they are exposed to traditions and philosophies that have changed throughout the years. Similarly, spending time with their grandchildren offers aging adults an opportunity to learn new technologies and practices that have developed.

Simply put by the University of Oxford, the more positive relationships in a person’s life — young or old — the better that person’s life is likely to be.

Events like the Grandfest hosted by the COA are great tools for developing these relationships and making memories, which scientists have found improve emotional wellness and extends life expectancy.

We encourage all who are able to take advantage of this great opportunity.

Opinions expressed are those of general manager Ambrosia Neldon, managing editor Sarah Culton and sports editor Scott Novak.