OCEAN CITY — The annual Twins Contest held by the Recreation Department offers double the fun of any ordinary event, with twins, triplets and other multiples lining up for a chance at glory.
Ribbons were awarded to those who looked the most and least alike in multiple age categories during the event Wednesday, Aug. 3, on the boardwalk in front of the Ocean City Music Pier.
Waiting in line to register for the contest, Brenda Mixner of Franklinville said having twins “was crazy but it’s an enjoyment.”
Asked if he enjoyed having a twin, her son, Gavin, 9, asked if he could lie. Told he could, he said, “I do,” about his sister Arianna.
Abby Higgins, sporting a dress, and Beth Higgins, in jeans and a T-shirt, neither looked alike nor acted alike.
The Basking Ridge residents talked about what it’s like to have to share a birthday.
“Annoying,” Abby said.
“It’s fun,” Beth said, outraged. “It’s like half and half.”
“It’s nice to have your own space. People think we’re the same inside but we’re not,” Abby said.
“It’s also fun. If we want to both hang out, then we have a friend,” Beth said.
The rising eighth-graders said they have different hobbies and take different classes.
Looking exactly alike in their twin braids were 14-year-olds Kamryn and Riley Pier of Boyerstown, Pa.
Another pair who were hard to tell apart were Alex and Peter Chamberlain, who were missing their final part because Samantha was at another engagement.
“Sometimes it’s kind of hard; there are three of us. But it’s good because there is always someone that can help,” 11-year-old Alex Chamberlain said of being a triplet.
Island resident Cassie Downey laughed when asked what it’s like to have twins.
“It wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be but it was difficult,” she said of having 4-year-olds Rosie and Ilee Downey. “They’re too smart for their own good.”
Elisa Petrini said “most of it has been a blur,” but was happy 3-year-olds Joey and Jason are getting easier to manage.
“We’re really at an age now when we are starting to have fun and enjoy them,” the Marmora resident said. “They have really funny, different personalities. We never thought we would have twins, so we don’t know any different, but we are really enjoying being twin parents.”
Ryan and Kate Diaz of Ocean City brought along adorable 3-year-old twins Summer and Cheyenne in dresses and sun hats. Brother Remington, 5, was a little more than 1 year old when the girls were born, so they had their hands full.
“We’re still shocked. It doesn’t run in either of our families,” Kate Diaz said. “He was 1 when they were born, so three under 2 … it was an extra stressor but we survived.”
Her advice?
“Breathe, everything is just a phase,” she said, adding not to try to go anywhere for a while.
“We were pretty housebound for the most part,” she said.
Taking part in the contest were 12-year-olds Fiona and Caitlin Knowles in their yellow dresses and 4-year-olds Elizabeth and Lillian Martinez in their matching orange ones.
Among the oldest participants were Al and Art Bancroft of Voorhees. Wearing matching purple striped shirts, the 83-year-olds both served in the U.S. Marine Corps, one for three years and the other 33 years. Al Bancroft did three tours of Vietnam.
Michelle Rondinelli brought Olivia and Mira all the way from Lancaster so the 9-year-olds could compete in the contest. The beach and boardwalk likely added to the attraction.
Sporting handsome orange soccer kits, Nick and Liam Wetten, 10, were in town from West Chester, Pa.
Wearing patriotic outfits, Layla and Olivia Baturin came from Tabernacle, while Chloe and Layla Smull, 6, drove in from King of Prussia, Pa.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
