Smolak Farms: Doughnut Day Festival

Smolak Farms Celebrates National Doughnut Day!

National Doughnut Day, which is celebrated on the first Friday of June, was officially established in 1938 by the Chicago Salvation Army to raise much-needed funds post depression, and to honor the work of World War I Salvation Army volunteers.

During World War I, The Salvation Army set up small provision stations for U.S. serviceman that included writing supplies, sewing materials, hot coffee and yes, doughnuts to bring comfort to the soldiers. The doughnuts were a huge hit with the serviceman and became an important part of providing comfort and morale for soldiers.

In celebration of National Doughnut Day, Smolak Farms will be holding their first-ever, weekend-long Doughnut Day Festival from Friday, June 4th through Sunday, June 6th. In honor of the holiday’s founders, Smolak Farms will be donating a portion of the festivals proceeds to The Salvation Army.

To kick off the celebration on Friday, the farm will be offering half priced hayrides ($2.00 each) as well as special pricing on their cider doughnuts that come in plain, sugared or cinnamon sugared from 9am-2pm. These New England favorites will be ½ price and all veterans a.k.a. “doughboys,” will receive 1 free doughnut!

On Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6 from 11am-3pm children can enjoy an assortment of activities including a bounce house ($3.00), batting cages ($3.00), a playground (free), a petting zoo (free), face painting ($2.00) and hayrides ($4.00). To round out the celebration kids of all ages can participate in various doughnut-centered activities including a donut ring toss and eating doughnuts on a string!

Smolak Farms will also be hosting their First Ever Doughnut Eating Contest at 1:30pm on Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6th. Contestants will have 3 minutes to try and eat the most cider doughnuts. The winner will receive a free dozen of doughnuts and bragging rights for 2010! Enter the doughnut eating contest at the Farm Stand before 1:00PM the day of.

Families will have a chance to get creative together at Smolak Farms’ doughnuts decorating stand, where guests will be able to dunk their own doughnuts into all sorts of yummy toppings for only $1.00 per doughnut! Afterwards, head over to Smolak Farms special “Doughnut Hole” photo station where families can document their doughnut day adventures in the middle of Smolak Farms’ most famous dessert. Please note, guests must bring their own cameras.

Schedule of Activities (Saturday and Sunday Only):

Doughnut Ring Toss at 11:30AM

Eat Doughnut on a String, and be the first to finish at 12:30PM!

Doughnut-Eating Contest at 1:30PM. Smolak Farms will be hosting doughnut eating contests for ages 6 and under, ages 7-12, and ages 13 and up.

*Please note these activities are free, and will only be offered on Saturday, June 5th and Sunday, June 6th.

Cider donuts!!! Yes, they are one of my favorite treats so I am all behind this celebration, especially as some of the proceeds will go to a worthy charity. Mmmm...how many cider donuts can I force down in 3 minutes? Will any "ringers" enter the competition, professional eaters who can probably choke down a couple dozen? I could enter twice, on Saturday and Sunday. Plus the donuts are half-price. I hope to see my readers there.