A mammoth cloud of dust emerged from the collapsed structure and an unexpectedly strong southerly wind blew debris toward the assembled VIPs and media. As a result, a laser show was canceled. CDI owner Mark Loizeaux had said beforehand: "Nothing is going to leave the Stardust site. Not a particle. Dust possibly, but that's an unavoidable byproduct of what we do. Vibration will almost be unmonitorable at any third-party site because we're crushing the building."

Just before the final explosions, fireworks celebrated the late, great resort.

Mark, our engineer/cameraman, is present in the media-only zone to record the event.

Four Boyd grandsons push the lever. The granddaughter, oddly, was not invited to help and only was mentioned because Boyd was trying to fill time waiting for the implosion to happen.