By CINDY LADAGE
Illinois Correspondent

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The theme for the 2010 Illinois State Fair is “Cream of the Crop,” and this year will feature the first-ever Senior Twin Contest.

The brainchild of Selvarine Jones of Springfield, co-director of the Senior Olympics, she said they were trying to collaborate on an idea that would involve the Illinois Department on Aging and the Illinois State Fair.

“I said they have the grandparent, grandchild contest. Why not have a twins contest?” she explained.

The idea gained popularity and soon was part of this year’s lineup. The contest is scheduled for Aug. 15 from 2-4 p.m. and any twins between the ages of 50-99 are welcome to enter. The contest will be held in the Illinois Building.

Prizes for senior twins will be awarded for the four categories of: Most Alike, Most Different, Best Theme and Most Mischievous Twin Story.

As an identical twin to sister Elmada Meek, Jones is no stranger to being a double. The two are past winners of a twins contest, so she knew just how much fun the contest could be.

Years ago while working at the Renaissance Hotel, Meek learned about a twins contest from a member of an event she had booked. The sisters decided to enter and drove to Twinsburg, Ohio, where they won in the “Most Alike” category.

The contest led to them being parade marshals and a profile in Ebony magazine in 1988. This year, with the contest at the Illinois State Fair, the two decided since they turned 50 in January, entering the contest would be fun.

Whether identical twins like Jones and Meek, or fraternal twins, entrants will have a good time and feel like the “Cream of the
Crop” as they compete.