The preparations for the joyous New Year's Day celebrations of Roch's childhood began long before winter came. In the summer, his grandmother made her cherry wine. The neighboring villagers painted and repaired their sleighs in anticipation of the winter's parade. When the big day finally arrives, it is a whirlwind of activity: the cooking and eating of the lavish feast, the arrival of visitors and distant relatives, the singing and dancing, and the family blessing. In the end, Roch knows who to thank for such a wonderful day.