About 220 people attended the two-day affair at Gore Town and Country Club, with people coming from all around the country.
There was line dancing, a chance for people to get up and sing, but the crown jewel of the affair was the concert on Saturday night, featuring heavy hitters in the country and country-adjacent scene.
Co-ordinator Phillip Geary said the event boded well for future Stomps in Gore.
"It’s been very successful, the concept, the artists, it’s been a great success. We would’ve liked a bit more of an audience, but we look at this as a long-term investment — it will grow," he said.
Mr Geary said the attendees had glowing reviews for the first Southern Stomp in Gore.
"They all said they thoroughly enjoyed it, the ones I spoke to, especially after the concert, say they’ll be back," he said.
"It was beyond our control, but the good thing about it is, three or four artists got up with their guitars and sang acoustically,
"Pretty spontaneous by them, but we really appreciated it," he said.
Big names came down to Gore from all around New Zealand, with performances from Golden Guitar winner Zach Griffith, the Dollys and the Maplewood String Band.
Fiddler Marian Burns performed at the Stomp and said there was nothing like performing down South.
"It’s always huge, it’s spectacular. Gore has never, ever, disappointed. The community, the support, it’s great," she said.
The Harmonic Resonators headlined the event, and even did a small performance the following day before heading back north.
Frontman Jeremy Hantle said the group had a great time, and were ready to come back down for another show.
"It’s alive down here. The country scene is just so vibrant and alive, the spirit of collaboration, everything," he said.
