*As published in North Canton Living October 2025
My stomach grumbled at the heavy smell of fried dough and sugar. I took my place in line behind two moms with several small children clutching their personal Donut Trail flyers. They fidgeted as they pressed against the donut case whispering what treat they would buy. I understood their excitement as I looked over the colorful case of donuts filled with standard fare like the classic glazed down to a donut designed to look like a furry colorful unicorn.
This year Butler County is celebrating ten years of their world famous Donut Trail. Encompassing thirteen donut shops sprinkled across the county the trail has enticed participants from more than sixty countries and every state. I began the trail in Middletown, Ohio at a small donut shop that has been in business for sixty eight years.
Central Pastry in Middletown had a mural dedicated to the Donut Trail. While I was selecting a cruller, I heard the bell tinkle behind me and a large group came in laughing. In the mirror I spotted the familiar bride tribe gear as the group of women took their place in line. Out front I spotted a limo waiting patiently. As I checked out and received my stamp, the girls lined up behind them for theirs. They were all the way from Pittsburgh and staying at a local hotel. They had already stamped five shops so far that day.
Owner Vera Slamka took a moment to visit with me after the bride tribe left, reassuring me that it was not unusual to see such a group. “We often get bus loads or scout troops. All year long. I love meeting all the people from all over the world.” She gestured towards the map on the wall next to the mural. Colorful pins marked all the visitors’ homes locations. As far as New Zealand was marked on the map. Vera and husband Joe purchased Central Pastry in 1984 while the bakery was founded in 1949.
Nearby Milton’s Bakery was busy with continual traffic in the small shop. While I waited three groups were getting their passports stamped. The cashier stated that they receive ten to fifteen trail participants daily.
Kathryn Rawlinson, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the Butler County Visitor Bureau escorted me to the store room with shelves of Butler County T Shirts. The prized t-shirt is the reward for visiting all the shops in one year. This year’s shirt is special with a glitzy gold print. “We distribute more than thousands of shirts every year. Each year the trail participants grows. Every year we change the shirt so the trail has become a family tradition for many.”
What I Learned
My favorite donut was a simple glazed at Holman’s Donut Shop in West Chester. Simple, old fashioned and reminiscent of my childhood.
First donut shop opened in New York City, called then New Amsterdam, in the 17th century and were called oily cakes.
Before You Go
I couldn’t find an efficient way to navigate the donut shops and there were times where GPS was spotty. My best advice is have a navigator and plan time to backtrack.
This is hard to do in one weekend. Give yourself some time and do some research. One shop was closed for a funeral; several closed at noon having opened at 5am.
While you are in Butler County, a must see is the original Jungle Jim’s International Market located in Fairfield. Jungle Jims is so large that you need an app and map to navigate. Featuring food from around the world, plan on comfortable shoes as you walk the aisles taking in the decor. This market is unique and will easily take 3 to 4 hours to visit.
While Butler County inhabits the northwest Cincinnati area reaching over to the Indiana border, the farthest donut shop is near Oxford, home to Miami University. For hotels, consider the Kings Island Amusement Park area near Mason and right next door to many of the Butler County donut shops.
A map and information on the trail can be found at the Butler County website – travelbutlercounty.com.