June 3 is National Doughnut Day, a time-honored celebration of fried dough.

National Doughnut Day is the first Friday each June, which this year falls on June 3. It was started in 1938 by the Salvation Army to commemorate its members who served doughnuts to soldiers during the First World War. According to Wikipedia, arbiter of all truths on the internet, National Doughnut Day is a holiday to “celebrate the doughnut.”

In order not to let a good holiday go to waste, here are our top picks to observe this sweet and sacred tradition.

A post shared by Half Moon Rondout Cafe (@half_moon_rondout_cafe)

Half Moon follows the old adage, simple is best. Its three mainstays — plain, cinnamon sugar and powdered sugar — are made to order, meaning you get fresh, hot, fried dough until the shop closes at 5 p.m. Half Moon also has rotating daily specials including maple glaze and blueberry sugar, plus a few bakery classics like chocolate babka and rainbow cookies. 36 Broadway, Kingston Open every day 7 a.m.-5 p.m.

A post shared by Rabble Rise Doughnuts (@rabblerisedoughnuts)

Formerly Gunkin’ Doughnuts, Rabble Rise specializes in fun flavors made with cake, brioche and a vegan sourdough. (If you’re familiar with the New York City brand Dough, Rabble Rise has a similar artisanal flair.) You can expect spins on traditional flavors such as a tri-jam with strawberry, blueberry and raspberry, alongside dazzlers like the triple chocolate brioche. 183 Main St., New Paltz Thursday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

A post shared by Peaceful Provisions (@peacefulprovisions)

If you like your doughnuts vegan and fair-trade, Peaceful Provisions has you covered (at least until noon, when the store usually sells out). Their mainstays include strawberry with sprinkles and vanilla glazed twists, but they also mix in bangers like orange tahini, pistachio cherry and coffee bourbon. 383 Main St., Beacon Friday-Sunday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

A post shared by Hole in the Wall (@holeinthewallbytheanchor)

What started as a pickup window in the burger and craft beer bar has become a Kingston institution in its own right. Hole in the Wall specializes in old-fashioned sour cream doughnuts with a twist — think ube and Cocoa Pebbles cereal, and rosewater and orange blossom. 744 Broadway, Kingston Friday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

A post shared by Glazed Over (@glazed_over_donuts)

Glazed Over tops best-of lists year after year, and with good reason. The doughnuts are completely customizable: choose from an old-fashioned or a doughnut of the day, then pick two toppings and a special drizzle. With combinations like hazelnut-chocolate, Fruity Pebbles, and salted caramel, you can’t make a bad decision. 315 Main St., Beacon Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Tuesday

A post shared by Dream Donuts (@dreamdonutswarwick)

Dream Donuts believes the more, the merrier. These mini delights come in dozens of flavors, so you can have your taste of dark chocolate raspberry along with blackberry custard and Nutella banana, and still have room for cinnamon sugar, chocolate chip pancake and strawberry shortcake (and maybe an old-fashioned for good measure). 72 South St., Warwick Tuesday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Monday

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This Rockland County hotspot is outside our typical coverage area, but worth the trek. Since 2017, Boxer Donut has been serving top-shelf espresso drinks alongside solid cakes and yeasteds. Recent specials have included powdered sugar filled with matcha pastry cream, peach glazed with candied ginger and a vegan Earl Grey tea doughnut. 17 N. Franklin St., Nyack Open every day 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

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Phillip Pantuso is helping lead the Times Union's coverage of the Hudson Valley. Previously, he was managing editor of The River Newsroom and an editorial producer for MLB.com. He has contributed to The Guardian, The New York Times, and Literary Hub, among other publications. He earned an M.A. in journalism from NYU, teaches in the journalism department at SUNY New Paltz, and lives in Kingston.