‘Big Boy’ train begins its journey across the Mississippi River to U.S. 250
The world’s largest steam locomotive in operation has begun a multi-month tour around the eastern United States to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, Doritos is asking its citizens to honor our nation in a very crunchy way.
The snack brand has launched a new “Build the Bold” contest that challenges Americans to recreate a famous U.S. landmark entirely out of Doritos chips for a chance to win $250,000.
Participants can build everything from the Statue of Liberty and the Washington Monument to Yellowstone National Park and the Brooklyn Bridge. Contestants must submit a video explaining how they created their structure and why they chose it.
The campaign comes as brands and organizations across the country are rolling out events and promotions related to America’s 250th anniversary, also known as the quincentenary.
What can contestants do in the Doritos “Build the Bold” contest?
Participants can choose from a list of approved landmarks, monuments, and natural wonders. Options include the U.S. Capitol, Hoover Dam, Niagara Falls, and the Lincoln Memorial.
Entries will be judged on creativity, accuracy, and video presentation. Doritos said the “bold factor,” which includes visual impact and creative use of chips, accounts for 50 percent of the final score.
Contestants can submit up to three unique builds during the contest period until July 31st.
What are the rules for the Doritos contest?
Entries must only feature Doritos products and cannot include any outside brands, other people, visible tattoos, or copyrighted music. Doritos also said that contestants cannot use generative artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT to create submissions.
USA TODAY has reached out to PepsiCo, Doritos’ parent company, for additional comment on the contest, including whether photos and videos of the finalists and winning entries will be released after the judging concludes.
Winners will be notified around August 2026.
Doritos contest also includes weekly prizes
In addition to the Grand Prize contest, Doritos is running another sweepstakes with weekly giveaways throughout the summer.
Daily participants will win a “Bold at Home Bundle” which includes a Doritos-branded cooler, speaker, beach towel and a $200 Mastercard gift card.
Contests and sweepstakes are open to legal residents of the United States who are 18 years of age or older, or residents of Alabama and Nebraska who are 19 years of age or older. No purchase necessary to enter.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or on Twitter @athompsonUSAT.
