Irish Fest 2023: Will You Win The Dock At Inwood's Soda Bread Contest?

JOLIET, IL — The Dock at Inwood's annual Irish Fest featuring the highly anticipated soda bread contest takes place on Saturday. This year's donations will go to Big Brothers and the Joliet Jaguars youth hockey program, according to co-owner Rick Trafton.

The Dock is hoping to have around 100 soda bread entrées for Saturday's Irish Fest. "Our high point was 100 pre-pandemic and we're hoping to get back to that total this year," Trafton told Joliet Patch during Wednesday's interview.

The Irish Fest is from noon to 5 p.m. The soda bread and the raffle winners will be announced at 4 p.m. Irish Fest also features bag pipers and Irish dancers.

"It's family friendly. We have kids activities," Trafton said.

People can drop off their soda bread entrées between noon and 2 p.m. There's a $10 fee "and all that goes right to the charities," Trafton explained.

The first place prize for the soda bread contest will be a $500 Southwest Airlines gift card plus a $100 gift card for The Dock at Inwood.

Second place is a $250 Southwest Airlines gift card plus a $50 gift card for The Dock.

Third place is a $100 Visa gift card and a $25 gift card for The Dock.

And new this year is the People's Choice award. That winner will receive a free pizza from The Dock every month for a year.

"We have judges," Trafton explained. "They know things to taste for."

Joliet Patch asked Rick's wife, Julie, what makes a great tasting soda bread?

"I think the key is buttermilk and the right raisins," Julie Trafton said.

As a reminder, The Dock now has its Irish menu going on this week in preparation for St. Patrick's Day, Friday, March 17.