RPC Photos by Michael K. Dakota

by Andre Clayton

Reporter

Twinsburg -- The city's population increased by more than 40,000 people during its internationally recognized Twins Days Festival Aug. 1 through 3, leaving its organizers in awe.

"It was above our expectations," said Twins Days Festival Committee member Sandy Miller. "It's a surprise that that many people showed up, because of high gas prices and the economy."

Miller said Aug. 4 that unofficially 2,034 sets of twins attended Twins Days this year, but expects at least 20 more sets to be added to the total after the official head count is completed Aug. 11.

"There seemed to be more regional people [attending] this year, like people from Michigan and Pennsylvania," Miller said.

Identical twins Don and Dave Wolf, said they drove from Michigan to attend Twins Days for the 10th time.

"It's a great time, since we meet old friends and make some new ones each year," Dave said.

"It is the one time of the year when we can be seen together and not be pointed at," Don said.

First time Twins Days-goers Lora and Lynn Jensen, said they drove from Vancouver, Canada.

"It's one of our 101 things to do before we die," Lora said.

The sisters said Twins Days was "amazing."

"We always kind of hide the fact that we are twins by wearing different clothing and hairstyles, but at Twins Days it's okay to look a like," Lora said.

Miller said besides the golf outing Aug. 1 at Gleneagles Golf Course, the Double Take Parade was again a popular attraction.

This year's parade, which began Aug. 2 at Twinsburg Township Square and traveled half-a-mile to Glenn Chamberlin Park, was dedicated to Twinsburg Officer Joshua Miktarian, who was killed in the line of duty July 13.

"There was never a spot on the parade route where there wasn't an onlooker, which was not the case last year," said Twins Days Parade Festival Committee Chairperson Jeannie DiMatteo.

Miktarian's K-9 police partner, Bagio, was an honorary grand marshal, and was escorted by the Twinsburg Fire Department's Honor Guard in a police car while city police officers rode behind him, according to DiMatteo.

"You could see Bagio in the backseat of the car ... it was really emotional," DiMatteo said.

The sports theme of this year -- Twins Days All-Stars -- was popular as well, according to Miller.

In the parade were floats dedicated to the Olympics, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts, according to DiMatteo.

"One float ... dedicated to the Olympics was called 'Red, White and Two,'" DiMatteo said.

The Miktarian raffle, where participants could win two $250 Twins Days baseball jerseys, brought in $4,000 for Miktarian's wife and daughter, according to Miller.

"The community was very supportive," DiMatteo said.

Vendors and researchers at the event said they enjoyed the large number of people who visited their booths.

"We have been selling tons of headbands," said North Royalton Sunshine Couture co-owner Susan Rego, noting it was the company's first time at the event.

Rego said her business makes girl accessories, such as flowered headbands.

"We will be here next year," Rego said.

"We always do well here," said Uniquely Moxy owner Renee Rothhaas, noting it was her third year attending the event.

Rothhaas said she appreciates the different customers Twins Days brings to her Lakewood business, which makes wire-wrapped jewelry, necklaces and earrings.

"It's nice to meet people from all over the place," Rothhaas said.

"The researchers seemed happy ... they met their quotas and left early," Miller said.

Lesley Bride, who is a principal scientist for Cincinnati-based Proctor & Gamble Beauty, said she was expecting more than 120 sets of twins to participate in her research concerning the environment's affect on one's beauty, but instead got 165.

"It has been successful because we have a lot of data," Bride said. "We will develop products, such as shampoo and toothpaste, around our findings."

"Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves," Miller said.

E-mail: aclayton@recordpub.com

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