Local businessman and author Mark H. Barratt has plenty on his plate to keep him busy these days. As owner of the Surrey House and Gardens in McKinney and a ranch in Lucas which he operates with his wife Carol, and having just published his five book Guardian of Heaven series (www.guardianofheaven.com), he and his wife are now opening a new business for weddings, reunions and celebrations in Anna called Anna Acres.

“After running our wedding business in McKinney for 20 years, The Surrey House and Gardens, we have found that one of the most frequently asked questions is for a place where wedding families can entertain their out of town guests. The most common request is for a place that demonstrates a little bit of Texas,” said Mark Barratt.

Located 20 Minutes Northeast of McKinney, Anna Acres provides the perfect Texas setting for a fun Texas themed celebration. Be it a wedding, a family get together or a dinner for out of town guests, Anna Acres gives visitors a taste and view of Texas that will make their visit memorable.

“Our goal with Anna Acres was to provide a private place where families could get together to enjoy a meal and experience a little bit of Texas history and farm life. Mostly we cater to reunions, parties, weddings and wedding rehearsal dinners.Outdoor parties can accommodate up to 100 guests. Indoor functions are limited to 60 guests,” added Barratt

Anna Acres is a 75 acre working farm with a beautifully remodeled ranch house, antique barns and historical exhibits. Nestled in the rolling hills of East Anna, it is surrounded by wheat fields, cattle ranches and serene landscapes. From the Model T milk wagon to the horse drawn surrey, visitors to Anna Acres will experience Texas farm life as it was a century ago.

Asked what makes Anna Acres special, Mr. Barratt replied, “Several things really.  We cater to smaller parties – Most Texas reunion sites are set up for about 500 to 2000 guests and are priced accordingly. We are set up for about 100 guests. Having a smaller venue allows us to keep our pricing very reasonable."

"We have several historical exhibits, including the model T, giving our guests a view of Texas farm life as it was 100 years ago. We are just getting started with our services, but when we are fully operational we will provide catering, all types of special occasion cakes andcarriage rides. In the near future we plan to addhorse & pony rides, a farm animal petting zoo and 1800’s period clothing with photography.”

"In summary, we love Texas. Anna Acres is a lot of fun because it provides us the opportunity to give our customers and their relatives a big dose of Texas,” Barratt added.

Anyone interested in more information about Anna Acres can visit their website at  www.annaacres.com or call 214/923-3952 for reservations.