At Twinsburg's Twins Days Festival, you'll be seeing double
Published: Aug 25, 2009
Since 1976, duos from all over the country have gathered for the biggest twins-themed festival in the world. And where other than Twinsburg, Ohio?
The first festival featured 37 pairs of twins. Now, more than 30 years later, the Twins Days Festival has grown to host to nearly 3,000 sets of twins and other multiples. Now that will really have you seeing double!
For many twins, the festival has become an annual ritual. With visitors from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii, the three-day event becomes a sort of pilgrimage that results in deep-rooted friendships and plenty of fun, food and festivities.
A kind-of summer camp for those who came from multiple births, the festival focuses on events that nurture a bonding and common ground friendship amongst all in attendance. From campfires and wiener-roasts to cornhole tournaments, guests feel like they're a part of one big family.
“When my twin-sister Andrea and I went to the festival for the first time in 1997, we didn't quite know what to expect. We came all the way from Cheyenne, Wyoming, and planned it to be a unique vacation,” said 34-year-old twin Amanda Fleming. “We didn't expect to make so many friends. We've gone every year since and still keep in touch with even the people we met on our very first trip.”
Of course, you don't need to be a twin to join in the fun and festivities. Anyone's welcome, and watching thousands of identically-dressed twins is a real sight to behold. A bounce house and kids games and rides are available for little ones.
“I always bring the kids and my hubby. We love to watch the twins because they're all dressed alike. It's just such a neat thing to see. We don't have any twins in our family personally, but the kids always have a good time,” said Ann Nichke, who lives in Macedonia with her 2- and 5-year- old sons, Max and Evan.
This year's festival takes place on August 7, 8 and 9. A golf tournament, 5k race and pancake breakfast are among the planned festivities. For a complete list of events, visit the Twins Day website. Admission is $3 per person at the gate.
- by LeeAnn Mullen, Cleveland Reporter for HelloMetro
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