Get Creative: Enter the 2025 Groovy Donuts Design Contest!

Do you dream of donuts? Think you’ve got the grooviest idea for our next big flavor? Now’s your chance to turn your imagination into reality with the 2025 Groovy Donuts Design Contest!

How It Works

We’re inviting our fans, foodies, and fellow donut lovers to design their very own Groovy Donut. You’ll decide everything—whether it’s a yeast or cake donut, what filling goes inside, and all the sweet toppings, glazes, and sprinkles that make your creation shine. Don’t forget to add your artistic flair with a sketch or detailed description!

Submit your masterpiece by Thursday, September 18, 2025 either at one of our two locations or by email at thegroovydonutshop@gmail.com. Be sure to include your contact information—and your Instagram handle if you’d like to join the fun of online voting!

The Showdown

Once all submissions are in, we’ll select entries to compete in a bracket-style showdown on our Instagram Stories (@groovydonuts). Starting on Thursday, September 25, 2025, our followers will get to vote on their favorite donuts head-to-head, round after round, until we crown the champions.

Want to boost your chances? Share your donut design and voting links in your own Instagram Stories to rally your friends and fans.

The Prizes

The last three donuts standing will be crowned champions and their creators will win:

  • A feature as a 2026 Donut of the Week

  • Social media shoutouts and bragging rights

  • A Groovy Donuts T-shirt

  • A half dozen of your custom donut to enjoy yourself!

Time to Get Groovy

Whether you’re an artist, a foodie, or just someone who loves donuts, this is your chance to leave your mark on the Groovy Donuts lineup. Let your creativity run wild—we can’t wait to see what you dream up!

📩 Submit your design by September 18, 2025 at either Groovy Donuts location or email it to thegroovydonutshop@gmail.com.

👉 Voting begins on September 25, 2025 at @groovydonuts on Instagram. Don’t miss out on the sweetest competition of the year!

Show Off Your Creativity!

Throughout each year, we are delighted to receive donut suggestions from you, our valued guests...This is your chance to get your Groovy Donut Design recognized as a 2025 Donut of the WeekSubmit your design by Sunday 9/1 for consideration.

Last year, we included the entire Groovy Donuts team (every team member casts an equal vote) in the judging and plan to continue that tradition going forward.  

Helpful Hint to Donut Designers: Remember, while crowd pleasers are always good, we are looking for unique options that we haven't already made, tested and served.  Something that sounds delicious, but is unique is likely to catch our eye.

Why Do We Celebrate National Donut Day?

In 1938, the first-ever National Donut Day was celebrated in Chicago, and the history of The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” was officially immortalized. In 1917, these women were sent to France to establish field bases near the front lines. In makeshift huts, thousands of soldiers would come to stock up on essential goods and grab a sweet treat baked by the “Lassies”.

Both the presence of these courageous women and the donuts that tasted of home brought a light of hope and happiness to the battlefield — a much-needed morale boost for languishing soldiers. Supplies were often sparse, so the Donut Lassies resorted to using cans and even steel helmets to fry up these patriotic pastries!

In fact, the Donut Lassies are also widely credited with popularizing the donut in the United States after the troops (commonly known as “doughboys”) came back from fighting in Europe.

Why Do We Celebrate National Donut Day?

In 1938, the first-ever National Donut Day was celebrated in Chicago, and the history of The Salvation Army’s “Donut Lassies” was officially immortalized. In 1917, these women were sent to France to establish field bases near the front lines. In makeshift huts, thousands of soldiers would come to stock up on essential goods and grab a sweet treat baked by the “Lassies”.

Both the presence of these courageous women and the donuts that tasted of home brought a light of hope and happiness to the battlefield — a much-needed morale boost for languishing soldiers. Supplies were often sparse, so the Donut Lassies resorted to using cans and even steel helmets to fry up these patriotic pastries!

In fact, the Donut Lassies are also widely credited with popularizing the donut in the United States after the troops (commonly known as “doughboys”) came back from fighting in Europe.