2012 Australian Twins Plus Festival

2012 Australian Twins Plus Festival

There must be something in the drinking water if the number of twins born into one street in the Melbourne suburb of Blackburn is anything to go by.

The block around Blackburn's Drummond Street boasts four sets of twins, all within a few hundred metres of each other. There are three sets of fraternal twins and one set of identical twins. The four cute pairs range in ages from two years to six years.

All the twins with their families are gathering in their street to help launch the 2012 Twins Plus Festival.

Their street will come to life as identical twin clown unicyclists, Sophie and Amanda Fontaine, ride into their front yards with free festival tickets and balloons. The twin unicyclists will feature at the festival.

The biggest gathering of twins in Australia, the Twins Plus Festival is held only every three years and, in 2012, is coming to Melbourne.

Over 3000 people are expected to attend the event at Caulfield Racecourse on Sunday, 18th March with festival goers travelling from across Victoria, around Australia and the world.

The event is open to twins, and their families and friends, plus higher order multiples (triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets and above).

Launch of the 2012 Australian Twins Plus Festival
11.30am, Saturday 21st January 2012
The home of the Hemsley family, 35 Drummond St, Blackburn South.

"The festival is a rare opportunity for twins to celebrate their unique lives with other twins," says festival organizer, Ann Marie Harli, who is herself a mother of twins.

"Everyone is fascinated with twins, including twins themselves," says Ms Harli. "Twins have so much in common and the festival provides an opportunity for them to share stories and meet new twin friends.

The festival also provides families with a break from the normal stresses of life, she says.

"Life in families with twins and multiples can sometimes be difficult because of the extra strain on finances, added stress on relationships, and difficulties with educational outcomes.

"We want families with multiples to know that there is a lot of support around them and they're not alone."

Ms Harli says the Melbourne twins festival will be the biggest yet and geared to all ages.

Highlights include fun rides for all ages, fabulous live entertainment, shopping outlets geared to twins, great competitions and prizes, a fun twin photographic competition, twin talent quest, meeting twin celebrities, expert advice and displays for twins, twin research studies, and a commemorative all-in twin festival photo.

The festival runs from 10am to 6pm and is great value with an "all-inclusive" ticket providing access to all areas, rides, activities and entertainment on the day. Once patrons have purchased their tickets, they only need money for food and shopping purchases.

Tickets are available online at the festival website or freecall 1800-037-021: adult $30, concession $20, child $12 (aged 2-12 years), free for children under two years, family $80 (a family can be anyone listed on your Medicare card).

Visit www.twinsfestival.com.au