When America's Team gets a new home, it's something to celebrate.
There was no shortage on pomp and pageantry when Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones cut the ribbon on the team's $1.15 billion dollar stadium in Arlington on Wednesday.
The ceremonial ribbon-cutting literally erupted in fireworks as the stadium was officially opened with patriotic music playing and parachutists dropping to the ground.
Cowboys fan Tanya Damon said the three-million-square-foot structure is "awesome" and "unbelievable." There's "nothing like it in the world," she said.
Brad Sham, the voice of the Dallas Cowboys, began the ceremonies by introducing a roster of for Cowboys greats such as Bob Lilly and Rayfield Wright.
Wright said he wishes he had gotten a chance to play in the new stadium.
"Yeah, they always go through your head once you're a player," he said. "I was so excited to play in Texas Stadium when Texas Stadium was first built, but certainly (would) like to play in this one too."
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Jones addressed a crowd filled with local celebrities and politicians and spoke of the great journey in getting the stadium built during the economic slowdown.
"The depth of the perception of the value of the Dallas Cowboys franchise, the interest in this franchise, carried this project right through some of the roughest waters anybody has ever seen," he said.
"This is something that the world is waiting to see," said Dwaine Caraway, Dallas deputy mayor pro-tem. "You know, the Astrodome used to be the eighth wonder of the world. Now this will have to replace all of that."
Measuring 120 feet high and 180 feet wide, the doors are the tallest glass retractable doors in the world. The five 38-foot panels take 18 minutes to open.
The stadium's first event -- a George Strait and Reba McEntire concert -- is June 6. The Cowboys will play the New York Giants in their first regular season game Sep. 20.
