'The Dock' Owners Bring Beloved Irish Fest Tradition To Downtown Mokena

MOKENA, IL — A long-standing tradition inspired by business owners Julie and Rick Trafton's roots comes to Mokena March 14—bringing with it plenty of Irish soda bread in time for St. Patrick's Day.

The couple's Irish Fest—an event that dates back to their ownership of past businesses—is set to take place under a tent in the Metra lot in front of their newest venture, The Dock On Front Street at 11116 Front St.

Irish Fest Under The Big Top features an Irish soda bread contest, Irish dancers, bagpipes, themed food and drinks, kids' activities, a DJ and beer tent.

"Mokena’s been starving for things to do," said Rick Trafton."We want to take the energy that we’ve developed here, give the community something else to do."

Irish Fest started in 2008, when the couple owned Charleston's in New Lenox.

"Growing up in the Mother McAuley High School area, and being an Irish-Catholic family, we went to Reilly’s Daughter's Irish soda bread contest," Julie Trafton recalled.

Her family entered—her mother won twice—and one prize was a trip to Ireland. It was a bonding experience and became a family tradition spanning generations, she said, and eventually was woven into their businesses.

"It was just a family thing that we did, so when we opened up Charleston’s, we decided to carry it over," Julie Trafton said.

It continued when they opened The Dock at Inwood, and the Irish soda bread competition, in particular, surged in popularity, the couple said.

"Soda bread, the first year we did it, had just 15 breads," Rick Trafton said. "We built it up each year, and one year we were up to 120 breads."

It's $10 to enter, with proceeds going to a specific, local nonprofit. In the past, causes have included Big Brothers Big Sisters, families of those fighting cancer, and more. Just seven months after opening in Mokena, this year they have selected the Mokena Chamber of Commerce, a nonprofit that has proven essential to their start.

"We chose the Chamber this year," Rick Trafton said, "because they’ve been very, very helpful to us. We’re new to the area, and want to give back to the community for accepting us, boosting us up."

Proceeds from a split-the-pot raffle will also benefit the Chamber, they said.

The soda bread contest features Visa gift card prizes—$1,000 for 1st place, $500 for 2nd place, $100 for 3rd place—and trophies 1st through 3rd places. A bread is also selected for Best Presentation, and also wins a $50 The Dock giftcard and a trophy.

It's a blind tasting; entrants are assigned a number, and no one knows whose bread is whose, Julie Trafton said. A panel of four judges—led by Julie's father—will deliberate which loaves rise above the rest.

"People like the big prizes," Rick Trafton said. "They really get into it."

The judging is serious business, Julie Trafton said.

"He's been judging since we started it," she said. "He has a system. It’s very strict and anonymous. ... We have had people who have been repeat winners. It’s not fixed—no one knows who it is. They know their bread."

People don't have to get "fancy" with their recipes, she said. Tradition has a special place in her dad's heart. Traditional Irish soda bread recipes include only four basic ingredients: all-purpose flour, baking soda, buttermilk, and salt. Made right, the ingredients combine to make a moist and fluffy soda bread that's chewy and crusty all at once.

"We like to keep it very traditional," Julie Trafton said.

"Traditional things like buttermilk and raisins. We encourage people not to get crazy with cake mixes. Two years ago, we had a family, it was their very first loaf they ever made, and they won. It’s not rocket science. And you don't have to be Irish to win!"

The fest starts at 12 p.m., running until 11 p.m. under the heated tent. Free kids' activities include face painting, balloons and games. The Dock will feature its margarita truck, as well as themed cocktails for the occasion.

Soda bread entries should be dropped off from 12 to 2 p.m., Rick Trafton said. Judging begins promptly at 2 p.m.

Irish dancers from the Sullivan School are set for 3 p.m., and Irish soda bread contest winners will be announced at 4 p.m. A bagpipes performance is set for 5 p.m., followed by Motown Nation from 7 to 10 p.m.

The full restaurant will also be open indoors. Front Street will be closed to through traffic for the duration of the event.

Rick Trafton hopes they've planned it for just the right date between other St. Patrick's Day festivities.

"We think we hit the sweet spot with the date," Rick Trafton said. "This year, we think we’ll have a good crowd, and just want to keep growing it year after year."

Irish Fest Under The Big Top is set for Saturday, March 14, from 12 to 11 p.m., in the parking lot of the Front Street Metra Station.