Twins Days facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Twins Days |
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Twins Days Festival Site Location
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| Status | active |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Venue | Glen Chamberlin Park |
| Location(s) | Twinsburg, Ohio |
| Country | United States |
| Years active | 49 |
| Inaugurated | 1976 |
Twins Days is a huge festival held every year in Twinsburg, Ohio, USA. It happens on the first full weekend in August. This special event celebrates twins and other multiples like triplets and quadruplets. It's the biggest gathering of twins anywhere in the world! Thousands of people come from all over the United States and other countries.
The festival started in 1976. A group of people in Twinsburg wanted to create a fun event. They got the idea from Ray Diersing, Sage Hiller, and Ari Hiller. At first, the city council didn't like the idea, but it eventually became a reality.
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What Happens at Twins Days?
This amazing festival usually brings together about 2,000 pairs of twins. In 2014, over 1,140 sets of multiples signed up early. They came from many countries, including Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, and Japan. That year, the festival had a "peace and love" theme. It was called "Twinstock: Groovy in Twinsburg."
Festival Traditions
Over the years, Twins Days has developed its own special traditions. A writer named Tony Barrell noticed something interesting in 2003. He said that identical twins often dress the same. This is true for everyone, from babies in twin strollers to 70-year-old men.
The festival always starts with a special performance. John and Jerry Starlet sing "The Star-Spangled Banner". Jamie Maassen and Jodie Qualkinbush use ASL to sign the song. After that, there's a big parade down Ravenna Road.
Twins and Science
Many scientists come to the Twins Days festival. They are interested in studying twins. They use the chance to learn about how genetics or other factors affect people. Twins can volunteer to take part in these studies. They often get a reward for helping out.
Unique Connections
Tony Barrell also observed something unique about the twins at the festival. He noticed that pairs of twins who don't know each other often connect. They shake hands or give high-fives. Sometimes, they even form groups for photos. It's like they are drawn together, creating cool patterns for cameras.
History of Twins Days
The idea for Twins Days came from two brothers, Moses and Aaron Wilcox. They were identical twins who bought a lot of land in the area in 1819. They offered to give land for a town square and money for a school. But they had one condition: the town had to change its name from Millsville to Twinsburg.
More than 150 years later, in 1976, the town celebrated the United States Bicentennial. They decided to throw a party that the Wilcox twins would have loved. Only 36 pairs of twins showed up at first. But the people of Twinsburg saw how much fun it could be. So, they decided to make it an annual event.
The festival did not happen in 2020. This was because of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
