Bulloch County family keeps 20-year light display running despite losing mother who inspired the annual event

BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - TMT Farm in Bulloch County opened its annual Christmas light display this year, continuing a tradition that has drawn visitors for more than 20 years, even as the Thompson family mourns the loss of the woman who inspired it all.

The farm on Old River Road transforms each year after Thanksgiving into one of the area’s largest drive-through Christmas light displays. But this year, the family is operating without Deb Thompson, the matriarch who died earlier this year after being diagnosed with cancer in late 2023.

“Mom was diagnosed with cancer late last year,” said Jennifer McCranie of TMT Farm. “They tried real hard to get it up before, but she couldn’t hang on.”

Family finds healing through tradition

Tyler Thompson said his mother was central to the family’s Christmas mission.

“My mom was the lesson teacher in the family… she was the glue,” Thompson said.

Despite their loss, the Thompson family decided to continue the display that has become a community tradition. Visitors have been coming to the farm for decades, with some making it an annual family tradition.

“I’ve been coming here a couple of times since I was a little kid,” one visitor said.

McCranie said her mother’s presence is still felt throughout the display.

“Oh she’s here, she’s everywhere out here,” McCranie said.

Community support keeps lights on

The family considered ending the display a few years ago to spend more time together, given the months of preparation required. However, public outcry convinced them to continue.

“Every year, it’s just gotten a little bit bigger… and I don’t know, it just means so much to so many people,” Tyler Thompson said.

Thompson said the display serves as a source of comfort for visitors dealing with their own challenges.

“There are a lot of people going through a lot of stuff… and you can come out here and kind of forget,” he said.

The display continues to operate on Old River Road, where visitors can drive through acres of Christmas lights while remembering the woman whose lesson of giving inspired it all.

Just today, December 23, TMT Farm announced that December 27, 2025 will be their final night open. See that message below: