'Donut' Even Think About the Calories

(Updated at 11:05 a.m. Friday) MIAMI, FL — If you waited all year to knock back a couple of cold brewskies with a decadent fried Oreo-topped doughnut, then you missed a really good party at Miami's very own Donuts Fest.

The adults-only festival drew about 950 doughnut-lovers on Thursday night who were rolling in fried dough from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the MAPS Backlot, 342 NW 24th St. in Wynwood.

A $45 ticket purchased at the gate got attendees as many doughnuts as they could possibly keep down and two beer tickets from the Concrete Beach Brewery.

Festival goers also had the option of purchasing a $70 VIP ticket at the gate that gave them access to an open bar, private area and light fare.

A portion of the proceeds benefited the United Way of Miami-Dade County.

"No one has ever asked me about that before — my favorite doughnut?," posited Nikki Deas, who heads up Vine PR and is the mastermind behind Donuts Fest, which is now in its second year.

"That’s really funny. I don’t know. I have so many. I like a traditional glazed," she offered. "But, I do like ones that have fruit and chocolate. I love anything with chocolate-covered bananas, chocolate-covered strawberries — anything that incorporates those two things are usually my weak spot even though dulce de lece isn’t bad either. I could do that also."

So much dough, so little time.

Each of the nine doughnut purveyors that were on hand at this year's event were asked to bring 1,000 to 1,500 servings.

"You can imagine if somebody eats one from every shop represented, they’re literally almost eating a dozen doughnuts by themselves which is a little excessive, but we don’t judge," according to Deas.

Every attendee received a gold token when they entered the festival that they then used to vote for their favorite doughy creation.

"At the end of the evening we tally it all up and the winner is presented with the Golden Donut Award," Deas said.

This year's Golden Donut went to Mojo Donuts and Fried Chicken, which also won last year. But in reality, everyone was a winner.

"People went crazy for the different doughnuts that were there," Deas acknowledged.

The biggest surprise of the night: "Nothing was left over," she told Patch on Friday morning.

Deas acknowledged that the festival attracted its fair share of police protection as the men and women in blue have been known to enjoy a sweet confection every now and again.

"I wouldn’t say that they stand out, but we definitely have some police officers ... you know, sampling the products for sure," she said with a giggle. "We're very safe."

Photos courtesy of Donuts Fest