Tucker Hill hosts <i>Arts on the Lawn</i>

It was the type of event that highlights the new frontier that is North Texas today. Land that once grew hay now produces planned communities and beautiful homes. In the rolling hills west of McKinney, cowboys worked cattle in years past. But Sunday evening, August 31 visitors took carriage rides and toured spacious new homes while being entertained by local artists and musicians Sunday during Arts on the Lawn at Tucker Hill, Southern Land Company’s mixed-use community on Highway 380 in McKinney.

Tucker Hill is conveniently located four miles west of US75 and six miles east of Dallas North Toll Road. Homes range from $300,000's to over $1 million. The Resident's Club will feature a resort-style pool, fitness center, café and meeting rooms. A residential-scale town center will offer charming boutiques and a variety of locally owned businesses. Community planners have set aside green space every 1/4 mile.

Work at Tucker Hill began in 2006 and completion of the 772-acre development is estimated to be approximately 2018. Over 2,000 single family and multi-family homes are planned. The community is in the Prosper Independent School District. A middle school and elementary school is proposed for Tucker Hill.

“We are so excited to begin our community activities,” said Mary Day, marketing director for Tucker Hill in a media release. “These activities show people what living in Tucker Hill is going to be like. We want people to know that this is not a one-time event, but that this type of event will take place regularly for our residents.”

Sunday's well-attended Arts on the Lawn event was the first of what organizers say will be a continual concert series at Tucker Hill. Tucker Hill worked hand in hand with staff at the MPAC and the McKinney Arts Commission to bring a local flavor to the inaugural event. Everyone wins when everyone works together and Arts on the Lawn was a cooperative success on many levels.

Since many of these spectacular new homes have just been completed, an interesting variety of artists and musicians were able to set up displays or perform in almost two-dozen homes. Guests were able to enjoy the artistic talent of Porcelain Art Guild of North Texas and Walls of Clay, just to name a couple, or listen to a talented musicians while appreciating the architecture and craftsmanship of the homes that comprise Tucker Hill.

Porcelain Art Guild of North Texas

Families also brought lawn chairs and blankets and enjoyed a perfect Texas evening with a picnic or just casual conversation as they waited for opening act Rayla Ray and headliners Lantana to take the main stage.

Lantana

Just down the street, the McKinney Community Band performed with a towering fountain as a backdrop. Spanish dancers twirled in the street. Ballet dancers posed for photos. Families pointed at dream homes from a carriage pulled by prancing horses. And the changing landscape of North Texas watches the evening sky fade from soft shades of red to a peaceful blue.

For more information, please visit http://www.tuckerhilltx.com