| When the first TwinsDays Festival took place in 1976, even its creators had no idea it would become the International festival it is. They were simply celebrating the United States BiCentennial in their city named for twin brothers, Moses and Aaron Wilcox, who settled in Twinsburg in 1817. In 1976, city officials wanted to mark the BiCentennial by honoring Twinsburg founders. It was a small celebration by today's standards, (a 1 day event) with food booths run by local organizations, a band concert, a local magician and a skydiver. The Rotary Club dedicated the Wilcox Twins Monument on the Town Square. There were 25 units in the parade. A time capsule was buried on the grounds of Crown Hill Cemetery to be opened in 50 years! The budget was $250.00 36 sets of twins were registered During the celebration, some of the event organizers realized that this festival for twins could become an annual occurrence, but only if the momentum from the first festival continued. With that in mind, organizers worked diligently to organize the 1977 festival. The committee had no budget, but local businesses were supportive and with their help, the festival was again held in 1977 with local media present to document the event. 38 sets of twins registered The festival had become an annual event, and in 1978 the researchers, from Tulane University, came to the gathering to study hand and foot prints. 76 sets of multiples registered In 1979 The TwinsDays Festival Committee incorporated as a nonprofit organization. For the first time, twins from foreign countries were in attendance! One set from Poland and one set from Lebanon. A $100 Food Raffle was the main fund raiser. The entire budget for the 4th TwinsDays was $2,200.00 136 sets of multiples registered In 1980 the firsts contests exclusively for twins were conducted and hosted by the Hager twins from "Hee Haw". Due to a conflict in scheduling over the past years, TwinsDays was held the first weekend in August. There was violent rain and lightening that rolled down on Twinsburg just prior to the start of the parade. The rain continued throughout the entire festival. 13 states and Canada were represented! 343 sets of multiples registered! In 1981 the festival became a two-day event and the PBS documentary "Nova" was the first National program to film the festival! Ronald Reagan was sworn in as the 40th President of the USA. The space shuttle, Columbia, completed its 1st orbital flight. Pope John Paul II was wounded by an assaisn's bullet. Prince Charles marries Diana. The Festival is forced to rent 2 large tents and go for two days because of its growth! The T.V. show, Nova was in attendance and filmed the festival. There were 20 contests held for twins. 376 sets of multiples registered in 1982 fireworks were added to the festival schedule, and a Twins Talent Show took place for the first time. John Delorean's stainless steel sports car ended poduction this year. Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. Pope John Paul II visited Britain for the 1st time since 1531! Barney Clark recieved the first artificial heart in a human. 20 contests were run this year. A set of twins from France and a set from Argentina attended. 569 sets of multiples registered In 1983 word was spreading and twins and triplets were telling others about the festivals. "That's Incredible", a TV show, attended and filmed the festival this year. A Festival PROGRAM is formatted as a souvenir. 30 States and 6 Countries are represented! 34 contests were held on Saturday and 4 on Sunday. 729 sets of multiples registered In 1984 the arrival of a Tokyo film crew made the first of International coverage of TwinsDays. The Ward twins from Barbados, started a biannual TwinsDays in their country with help from the TwinsDays Committee. Tokyo, Japan, sent a film crew to film a documentary on TwinsDays. Plans are unveiled for an amphitheater to be ready by next years TwinsDays. 994 sets of mulitples registered In 1985 The 10th anniversary of the festival brought in 1,181 sets of multiples registered !! The festival started with a balloon release and dedication of the completed amphitheater. 35 contests were held on Saturday and 5 on Sunday. The TwinsDays Committee held a Haunted Park and a dinner/raffle to raise funds. A Twinsburg flag was presented to the committee by Mayor Perici. In 1986 a few less sets of multiples registered than the year before, the first time twins registration did not meet the prior year. Through talking with twins who had attended before, the committee discovered, many sets could'nt come until Sunday. They felt there was'nt as much to do on that day than there was on the Saturday. The committee set out to change that! The budget for TwinsDays was $60,000.00 1,088 sets of multiples registered In 1987 the Guiness Book Of World Records dubbed the TwinsDays Festival "The World's Largest Gathering Of Twins" . The first 5K race was staged. The Committee contracted with a professional public relations firm to assist with pre-event publicity. The National Film Board of Canada filmed the Festival. A Japanese TV station attended as well as French and German magazines. The 12th Festival was the biggest so far! 1,351 sets of multiples registered In 1988 475 MORE sets will appear than the year before! 48 states, and from as far away as the Phillipines and England, with several sets from Canada doing the representation. The LARGEST attendance so far! Twin fireworks began at dusk. A "Twindy Indy" race was sponsored by Little Tikes. The TwinsDays office moved to bigger offices with much help from local businesses. Jesse Jackson fails his 2nd attempt at nomination for President. PHOTOS 1,826 sets of multiples registered! In 1989 the 10,000th set of multiples for the TwinsDays Festival had arrived! Valerie & Annette Risenburg of Gibsonburg, Ohio were presented with 2 round trip American Airline tickets and the Key To The City, and many other Twins souvenirs. Twins Hall Of Fame and property aquisition was first published. Northwestern University started a facial features study for reconstructive surgery. PHOTOS The parade down Ravenna Road held more than 100 sets of twins, some in costumes to celebrate their "twin-ness" 2,356 sets of multiples registered. In 1990 it was a case of, "If we build it, they willl come!" This year is the 15th Anniversary of TwinsDays! There were nine sets of twins from the Soviet Union! There was at least 110 units in the parade! TwinsDays was named Festival of the year. Becci & Bobbie (PowersTwins) wear their 1st costume for the parade, following the example of the Nagel twins, Jeff & Steve. See a PHOTOS. 12 members of the TwinsDays Committee were invited to Moscow, Soviet Union, to build international relations and help the Russians start their own TwinsDays. 2,510 sets of multiples registered! In 1991 The committee initiated the TwinsDays scholarship to help twins aspiring to higher education. The Center for Study of Multiple Births, in association with the committee, began giving research grants. A building fund for a permanent festival site and a Twins Museum was also established. PHOTOS here of Becci & Bobbie Powers. The 1st Annual Golf Tournament was held. The oldest set of twins were 90 yrs old. Twins came from Czecholovakia, Germany and U.S.S.R. with 8 Soviet delegates to learn from TwinsDays festivals. 1991 Demographics 38% Males 62% females of these, 45% were identical 55% were fraternal of those attending 53% were from Ohio 48% outside Ohio 2% outside the US there were 14 sets of triplets 3 sets of Quads! 2,761 sets of multiples registered In 1992 The amount of registered twins dropped by a count of 80. Jeff & Steve Nagel are the Kings of the Royal Court. The first set of twins from Nigeria attend. Pepsi is the official softdrink on the grounds! The TwinsDays budget is approximately $137,600.00. The first admissions is charged, $1.00. Credit Cards can now be used for souvenirs! Every state of the Union has been represented at TwinsDays. A set of twins from Nigeria attend. 20 sets of triplets, 3 sets of quads. Steve & Jeff Nagel are this years Kings of the Festival. PHOTOS of the PowersTwins ingenious costume made for two! 2,751 sets of multiples registered In 1993 A double wedding joining the Malm and Lassen twins took place. PHOTOS The two couples, who met at TwinsDays and became engaged the following year at TwinsDays, decided the best place for their ceremony would be Twinsburg's TwinsDays as well. It became a media frenzy! The world-wide twin count is about 125 million. There are over 125 units in the "Double Take" Parade. there were 14 sets of triplets, 4 sets of quads in attendance. 2,645 sets of multiples registered In 1994 "The Reau Boys Fund" was founded in memory of Ralph Boudreau. This fund gives twins the opportunity to come to TwinsDays, who could not otherwise afford to do so. The TDA makes its debut this year (The Twins Days Association).Festival budget is $235,200.00. Some very cute multiple PHOTOS . The Festival added a sit-down-and eat tent by the food wagons and wheelchair rentals. 2,680 sets of multiples registered In 1995 This is the 20th Anniversary of TwinsDays. The count is once again on the uprise. Rain and heat plague the festival. of quads. PHOTOS There were 26 sets of triplets and 2 sets Quads (4) and 2 sets of QUINTRUPLETS! (5) 2,798 sets of multiples registered In 1996 The budget is $221,850.00. Admission is $1.00. a few less twins than last year. PHOTOS . Registration for twins is $8.00 per set. Programs cost $2.00. There were 27 sets of Triplets! 2 sets of Quads (4). The number of twins being born has gone up 42% nationwide since 1980. Studies suggest that 75% of multiple births are attributable to fertility drugs now. 2,786 sets of multiples registered. In 1997 Admission goes to $2.00. The budget for the festival continues to rise, this years is $242,500. There were 24 sets of triplets, 1 set of Quadruplets and 1 set of Quintuplets!!! PHOTOS . The Grand total of registered twins for the past 22 festivals years is 32,651.The youngest twins to attend are only 11 days old! The oldest twins in attendance were 89. Twins came from Korea, Sidney Australia and Ottawa, Canada. 2,698 sets of multiples registered |
| TwinsDays History 1976-2004 |
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| * denotes REGISTERED multiples, who pay a small fee to help with costs of the entire festival and makes them eligible for contests |
| "A Place where twins and triplets are normal and "Singletons" are different!" Becci & Bobbie (The PowersTwins) |
| contributors of this page include Mr. Andy Miller and previous publications |