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Five Point Farms hosted Christmas in the Vineyard on Saturday night. Although this was the fifth year owners Cindy and Jeff Monroe invited Five Point residents to enjoy light displays on their farm, it was the first time since 2020.

The couple started Christmas in the Vineyard as an event for their Five Points community. The free event was a big hit between the inaugural year of 2017 and 2020. The 2020 event was a drive-thru event due to safety concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic. While that year saw the farm’s biggest crowd ever, it almost destroyed the farm’s pasture. As the farm is a working farm for the rest of the year, the drive-in couldn’t continue. The tradition was put on hold for the past two years.    

Cindy and Jeff make a living writing grants for fire departments. With their grant writing skills, the couple secured some funding to bring the event back this year, free of charge to the community.

Cindy explained the importance of keeping the event free, saying some of the kids in Five Points who attend Christmas in the Vineyard may not have the money to go to a big lights show like Callaway Gardens.

Work started in October to set up the many displays, including a series of displays that depict the Christian Christmas story. The Monroes sent hundreds of mailers to anyone with a Five Points address. Roughly 800 people attended the one-night event this weekend.

Cindy said that they had three hayrides going at one time due to the crowd. The farm’s barn housed multi-colored Christmas trees, and an area to take pictures with Santa. Cindy, Jeff and their dog greeted their guests at the door, wearing sequin holiday garb.

Lights were strung on the trellises that would normally be carrying crops. A large Christmas tree made of lights stood in the center of the displays and was timed to music. Kids’ games, including tossing the ring on the deer antler, were popular. 

There are only a handful of full-time employees at Five Point Farms. The event attracts dozens of volunteers. The farm provides some work for the men living at His Place, a halfway house outside of LaFayette. The entire program came down to help direct traffic and make sure the event was run smoothly.

“We operate our business on a philosophy, God blesses us so we can bless others,” Cindy said.