At the world’s largest gathering of twins, there’s a surreal feeling upon laying eyes on so many similar faces in the same place at the same time—akin to being dropped into a parallel dimension. The Twins Days Festival has been held in Twinsburg, Ohio, annually since 1976. An atmosphere of whimsy and joy permeates the gathering. With this year’s theme being “welcome to the jungle” (past themes include fairy tales, outer space, Westerns, and Noah’s Ark), parade participants and spectators alike dressed in safari outfits, animal prints, and other vibrant costumes. Fun contests are held to determine the most alike and least alike in different age groups.
This year, 2,145 twins registered for the festival. It’s not unusual for twins to attend year after year. The event doesn’t simply celebrate the unique bond that twins share; the organizer also raises funds for local graduating seniors’ college scholarships, as well as dedicated causes such as medical research related to rare diseases that affect twins. For twins and non-twins alike, the festival is a joyous moment.
From Oct. Issue, Volume II
