Although twin births are a lot more common today, it is still something of an excitement when you come across twins or multiples, especially identical ones. If the adults leave you feeling a wee bit strange, the kids have you in throes of “oohs” and “aahs”.
Would you be surprised then, if I told you that this biological phenomenon has sparked a series of festivals to honor twins, triplets, quadruplets…you get the idea? Here are a few of the more popular twin festivals around the world.
Twins Days, Ohio
Identical Twins
This happens to be one of the most important festivals for twins all over the world and it is held on August 1 every year. It attracts twins, both identical as well as non-identical, from all over the world, irrespective of their origin or age.
You will usually find twins and multiples dressed the same for this festival, or actually any other festival although there is no specific rule that demands you have to do so. There are various events and games that pit participating twins against each other. If you are hungry, you can grab some traditional American fare like barbecue, wiener roasts, and pancake breakfasts.
Twins Culture Festival, China
The Twins Culture festival is celebrated in Beijing in October and it is part of the National Day celebrations. The very first festival attracted 500 twins and now, with the festivals’ popularity having spread worldwide, the attendance is well over 800-900 twins. Highlights of the festival include a red carpet parade, martial arts demonstrations, and singing and dancing.
Australian Twins Plus Festival
The first-ever Twins Plus Festivals organized in Thoroughbred Park in Canberra drew more than 1500 people. The festival also included an attempt to create a Guinness World. It was a huge hit and participants came from not just within the country but also overseas. This festival isn’t held every year and the last festival took place in 2009.
Coney Island Twins Festival
Every year in July, the Astroland Amusement Park Twins bursts into color and action with twins and multiples in all ages, races, shapes, and sizes gather together to celebrate their “duplicity” or “multiplicity” as it were. There are several events, games, and shows that are organized during this festival and, as you can imagine, it draws a huge crowd of participants and spectators. Absolute fun and entertainment is guaranteed at the Coney Island Twins Festival.