Titans of Downtown San Angelo Drop Their Hatchets for Christmas

SAN ANGELO, TX — In a heartwarming display of holiday unity, two prominent figures in San Angelo's downtown development set aside their differences at the Nov. 21, 2023, City Council meeting. Mayor Brenda Gunter and Lee Pfluger, known for their pivotal roles in revitalizing the city's downtown district, shook hands to mark a truce for the Christmas season. This gesture comes as the city celebrates the 30th anniversary of the beloved Tour of Lights.

Mayor Gunter took a moment during the meeting to honor Pfluger for his longstanding dedication to the Concho Christmas Celebration, particularly highlighting his efforts in promoting the Tour of Lights. This event has not only captivated local residents but also drawn tourists to enjoy the illuminated Concho River area.

Gunter and Pfluger, who collectively own a significant portion of downtown San Angelo's buildings, have historically had competitive yet impactful approaches to development. Pfluger's notable achievement is the restoration of the Cactus Hotel, while Gunter's hallmark project is the Block One redevelopment on East Concho Avenue, spurring growth along Concho Avenue and Chadbourne Street.

Despite their past disagreements over development strategies — with Pfluger favoring nonprofit initiatives and Gunter advocating for commercial investments — their joint commitment to the city's prosperity has been undeniable. See the 2017 exposé on the Clash of the Titans of Downtown.

This year's Tour of Lights, sponsored by local Chick-Fil-A franchisee Rob Watkins, is set to dazzle residents and visitors alike. The event kicks off on Dec. 2, following the Concho Christmas Celebration and Parade. Festivities begin at 5:15 p.m. with the lighting of San Angelo’s official Christmas Tree and performances by the San Angelo Community Band, leading into the Christmas Parade.

The Tour of Lights, featuring a stunning display of over 3 million lights, includes attractions like the 'Tunnel of Lights', animated scenes from The Twelve Days of Christmas, a Toy Factory, a Gingerbread House, an elaborate nativity scene, and more. Open from Dec. 1 through Dec. 31, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the tour suggests a donation of $8 per car, with each vehicle receiving candy canes and a Chick-Fil-A gift card. For your GPS, enter the following address for the start of the Tour of Lights: 598 W 1st St., San Angelo, TX 76903.

As part of this year's celebrations, Pfluger excitedly shared that he has 23,000 Chick-Fil-A gift cards to distribute to visitors. The Tour of Lights not only signifies the start of the holiday season in San Angelo but also reflects the spirit of collaboration and community joy, as epitomized by the amicable moment between Mayor Gunter and Lee Pfluger at the council meeting. Watch the interaction.