Melinda and Belinda, 53, of North Carolina have attended Twinsdays every year since 1990. Melinda has a rounder face and is more reserved than her sister, who also prefers Dr. Pepper.
Melinda and Belinda, 53, of North Carolina have attended Twinsdays every year since 1990. Melinda has a rounder face and is more reserved than her sister, who also prefers Dr. Pepper.
Paul and Patrick (born 17 minutes later), 60, from Pittsburgh, Pa. are political opposites. Paul is right handed and a centrist Trump supporter, while Patrick is left handed and left of center. It was a process to bridge those differences, they said, although their arguments were never personal. They sing together in the center section of a choir at a predominately African American Baptist church and both served a stint in the Navy.
Paul and Patrick (born 17 minutes later), 60, from Pittsburgh, Pa. are political opposites. Paul is right handed and a centrist Trump supporter, while Patrick is left handed and left of center. It was a process to bridge those differences, they said, although their arguments were never personal.

They sing together in the center section of a choir at a predominately African American Baptist church and both served a stint in the Navy.
Linda and Laura, 41, of Sheffield, Ohio, have attended this festival every year since they were 3 years old. Linda's more outgoing and her sister more athletic.
Linda and Laura, 41, of Sheffield, Ohio, have attended this festival every year since they were 3 years old. Linda's more outgoing and her sister more athletic.
"I have a scar, that's about it," said Erin, 26, from Portland, Mich. on the differences with her twin sister Alyssa. They attended Twins Days for their 5th time.
"I have a scar, that's about it," said Erin, 26, from Portland, Mich. on the differences with her twin sister Alyssa. They attended Twins Days for their 5th time.
Lorretta and Lorraine, 62, have lived together in Pittsburgh for 20 years. Both have boys and are divorced. Both are in education. Both drive the same color Hyundai Elantra. Lorretta suffered a burn on her arm when she was young, otherwise I cannot tell them apart.
Lorretta and Lorraine, 62, have lived together in Pittsburgh for 20 years. Both have boys and are divorced. Both are in education. Both drive the same color Hyundai Elantra. Lorretta suffered a burn on her arm when she was young, otherwise I cannot tell them apart.
Lisa and Julie, 33, from Atlanta, Ga. and Columbus, Ohio, are both teachers. Lisa has bigger eyes and is "bolder," "more domineering," and "more explosive when she's upset," as Julie the peacekeeper explains.
Lisa and Julie, 33, from Atlanta, Ga. and Columbus, Ohio, are both teachers. Lisa has bigger eyes and is "bolder," "more domineering," and "more explosive when she's upset," as Julie the peacekeeper explains.
Sean and Maeve, 22, live on opposite coasts. Maeve is on her last year of art school in NYC and brought her 4x5 camera to shoot some black-and-white portraits of Twins Days attendees. Her sister lives in Santa Cruz, Calif. and is more on the science side of things. The pair, attending the festival for the first time, gets hung up on comparisons, whether dress or competitiveness.
Sean and Maeve, 22, live on opposite coasts. Maeve is on her last year of art school in NYC and brought her 4x5 camera to shoot some black-and-white portraits of Twins Days attendees. Her sister lives in Santa Cruz, Calif. and is more on the science side of things. The pair, attending the festival for the first time, gets hung up on comparisons, whether dress or competitiveness.
Left-handed Ronald and right-handed Donald, from Fayetteville, N.C. and Fort Worth, Texas. One of the brothers is friendlier, more relaxed, and a "little more tart" than the other.
Left-handed Ronald and right-handed Donald, from Fayetteville, N.C. and Fort Worth, Texas. One of the brothers is friendlier, more relaxed, and a "little more tart" than the other.
Jack and John, 67, who live in Illinois and Nevada, attended Twins Days together for the 19th time. They admitted secretly switching classes in high school and even girlfriends. "You didn't seem yourself Saturday night" one quipped. Both are pilots, into golf, and prefer blondes.
Jack and John, 67, who live in Illinois and Nevada, attended Twins Days together for the 19th time. They admitted secretly switching classes in high school and even girlfriends. "You didn't seem yourself Saturday night" one quipped. Both are pilots, into golf, and prefer blondes.
Tara and her sister Cara, traveled from Michigan for their 8th Twins Days festival. They were nursing their newborns while Cara was described as a bit of a hippie and Tara a "fancy nancy." I've lost track which said this, but "she's kind of the bitchy one" also came into the equation.
Tara and her sister Cara, traveled from Michigan for their 8th Twins Days festival. They were nursing their newborns while Cara was described as a bit of a hippie and Tara a "fancy nancy." I've lost track which said this, but "she's kind of the bitchy one" also came into the equation.
Jerry and John live in Ohio and sang the National Anthem to start one of the Twins Days festival talent shows. "Jerry's a black sheep that moved away," said John who lives 60 miles away from him in their hometown.
Jerry and John live in Ohio and sang the National Anthem to start one of the Twins Days festival talent shows. "Jerry's a black sheep that moved away," said John who lives 60 miles away from him in their hometown.
Right-handed Danielle, 26, is 30 seconds older than her left-handed sister Elise. The pair, from Mansfield, Ohio, described Danielle as having a rounder face, while Elise is more outgoing.
Right-handed Danielle, 26, is 30 seconds older than her left-handed sister Elise. The pair, from Mansfield, Ohio, described Danielle as having a rounder face, while Elise is more outgoing.
Chris and John, 51, government workers from Cincinnati and Pittsburgh who've attended Twins Days for 20 straight years, married their wives months apart. Their baby girls were born months apart, then their boys also. Chris is the more disciplined one.
Chris and John, 51, government workers from Cincinnati and Pittsburgh who've attended Twins Days for 20 straight years, married their wives months apart. Their baby girls were born months apart, then their boys also. Chris is the more disciplined one.
Reagan and Jack, 9, of Lenoir City, Tenn., attended Twins Days with their family. Reagan was described as timid and shy, yet a talker who likes to ride his bike. While his brother is more competitive and outgoing. Their father said when they come out of the pool or bathtub, or even from the side, he can't always tell them apart.
Reagan and Jack, 9, of Lenoir City, Tenn., attended Twins Days with their family. Reagan was described as timid and shy, yet a talker who likes to ride his bike. While his brother is more competitive and outgoing. Their father said when they come out of the pool or bathtub, or even from the side, he can't always tell them apart.
Carlie and Rachel Knott, 10, of Somerset, Pa., have attended Twins Days every year since they were born. Their mother pointed out a mole on each of their necks, which at first appears identical, yet one is placed an inch forward than the other (see that on my Instagram). The pair donned medals from one of this year's "most identical" competitions at the festival (there is also "least identical" judging).
Carlie and Rachel Knott, 10, of Somerset, Pa., have attended Twins Days every year since they were born. Their mother pointed out a mole on each of their necks, which at first appears identical, yet one is placed an inch forward than the other (see that on my Instagram). The pair donned medals from one of this year's "most identical" competitions at the festival (there is also "least identical" judging).

Twins Days

Roughly 2,000 sets of twins registered at this year’s annual Twins Days gathering in Twinsburg, Ohio on August 4-6, 2017. The festival takes place 25 miles southeast of Cleveland in a cozy suburban hamlet. On Saturday morning there’s a “Double Take Parade” and through Sunday twins congregate in a park behind a middle school for contests (most or least identical), talent shows, scientific research, and a daily group photo. There are deep-fried Oreos, carnival rides, arts and crafts, and a beer pavilion.

It’s just like a small county fair. Except everyone has a double. And you don’t.

I got a headache the first day. The parade never seems to end, because it’s non-stop gawking. But that’s totally ok. Selfies with strangers? Totally ok. Pull up a chair and stare? S’ok.