The best way, no, the only way to truly prepare for this day is to starve yourself.
That means no late supper the night before and definitely no breakfast that morning.
Because once you enter the Hokonui heritage precinct in the heart of Gore, there is no turning back.
The smells of freshly cooked food and the lingering lure of that famed drop, Hokonui Moonshine Whisky, is just too much to resist.
The food stalls and massive beverage marquee grabbed the attention on arrival.
Resistance was useless.
The only problem was, where should one start?
The smorgasbord included Hokonui minted lamb pie (to die for), Hokonui merino rissoles in a bun with relish, whisky-cured salmon, wild venison hotpot, wild pork wrap, and my favourite, the whisky and hokey pokey ice cream that tasted so good it must surely have been illegal in some counties.
Gore's stellar summer may have taken a day off, but the tastebuds of hundreds were on high alert, and little wonder.
The hardest choice on the day was working out what not to taste.
As if the food and drink were not enough, organisers brought a wide variety of musical entertainment to the festival.
The day was about history and celebrating the legend of Hokonui Moonshine, so rappers were nowhere to be seen.
Talented acts with great names like Johnny Possum's Good Time Hootin' Band, The Eastern (appropriate for a show in the heart of Eastern Southland) and Catgut and Steel took centre stage.
But the star of the show for me was the guest of honour, the Hokonui Moonshine.
It was smooth, tasty and lingering, just like the festival itself.
Hundreds partied into the early evening, with many spilling out afterwards to Gore's nearby watering holes to continue.
Festival organisers, take a bow.
The New Year's resolutions may have been ditched on Saturday, but the sheer gluttony and enjoyment was worth every minute.
The diet starts today.
