San Angelo, TX

Tops for Training
Goodfellow Air Force Base has been a welcome part of the San Angelo community since 1940. Goodfellow provides San Angelo with more than 63,000 hours of community service every year, and its economic impact on San Angelo was estimated at approximately $356.7 million in 2008. Formerly a flight training school, Goodfellow's primary mission now is to deliver training in the cryptology and general intelligence fields as well as firefighter training for all U.S. military branches. In addition, the San Angelo Fire Department trains there.

Splash and Speed
In late June every year, Lake Nasworthy hosts one of the fastest shows on water. The event, known as Showdown in San Angelo, is sponsored by the San Angelo Chamber of Commerce and sanctioned by the Southern Drag Boat Association. Almost 10,000 spectators  watch as boats outfitted with 1,000-horsepower engines roar down a quarter-mile course in less than five seconds at up to 250 miles per hour. The two-day event typically features more than 100 competitors who square off to race each other one on one.

Pretty in Pink
While traditional white pearls are rare and expensive, pink, peach and purple pearls are even more elusive. However, San Angelo annually issues permits to gem hunters who seek out these unique Concho pearls in area lakes and rivers, where they are created by freshwater mussels. As if these little wonders were not exotic enough on their own, legend holds that the Spanish crown jewels include Concho pearls. For those who want these gems without having to look for them in waterways, San Angelo jewelry shops carry a great selection of Concho pearls in exquisite settings.

Luxurious Libations
Each spring, the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council presents the San Angelo Wine & Food Festival. This annual gathering offers gourmet cuisine, fine wines from around the world and wonderful live music. Some previous years' events have even offered attendees a chance to rub elbows with professional athletes, as members of San Angelo's Intense Football League team—the Stampede Express—have served as waiters and pourers.

Lots of Lilies to Love
San Angelo is home the International Water Lily Collection, which consists of eight large pools in the city's Civic League Park. These pools explode with color as the lilies bloom, providing a remarkable view or photo opportunity for dedicated horticulturalists or casual spectators. San Angelo offers access to this wondrous sight free of charge from April to October each year. The city is also home to the annual Lily Fest, which combined with the International Water Lily Collection, gives San Angelo more varieties of water lilies than any other city in the United States.

Architectural Wonders
Home to more than 140 churches and one synagogue, majestic architecture and devout faith abound in San Angelo. Many of the churches in San Angelo have extraordinary aesthetic and historic value. In fact, several are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including Emmanuel Episcopal Church, built in 1929; First Presbyterian Church, built in 1909; Greater St. Paul AME Church, built in 1927; and Iglesia Santa Maria, built in 1930. Many others, while not on the register, still have something to offer the casual viewer as they often feature elegant architectural designs.