Live Updates

9:50 p.m.: No celebration would be complete without fireworks. They started just before 10.

9:44 p.m.: Musk explained the factory is equivalent to three pentagons, and it’s the largest factory building in the world by volume.

9:35 p.m.: Musk said so far, they have six factories on three continents. He said the placement of the factories also matters.

“It’s also going to be better for the environment, because we want to make the cars where the customers are, and not put them on ships over the oceans, so it’s going to be way better to make the cars locally,” he said.

“I asked the Tesla team, because California is great, and we’re continuing to expand in California, but… we ran out of room. So we needed a place where we could be really big. And there’s no place like Texas,” Musk said.

9:27 p.m.: Elon Musk drives onto stage wearing a cowboy hat and sunglasses. “Welcome, welcome,” he greets the crowd. “To Cyber Rodeo.”

“So we’re going to talk about past, present and future.”

9:20 p.m.: Just 20 minutes earlier, the live stream for Cyber Rodeo kicked off. Drones with lights flew above the factory to create numerous designs, including different Tesla models and the dog from the “Doge” meme that’s now used as the logo for Dogecoin, a type of cryptocurrency.

8:13 p.m.: Actor Harrison Ford was spotted at the Cyber Rodeo opening party for Travis County’s gigafactory. (Viewer Photo)

7:45 p.m.:

7:12 p.m.: Some Teslas were programmed to put on a light show in sync to music, and attendees could see some factory equipment in action (videos courtesy of Charles Scott).

7 p.m.: Not only was the party happening inside the facility, giant art displays and Tesla models also lined the outside. Of course, a giant cowboy hat and boots were needed for the occasion — very much sticking to the “Cyber Rodeo” theme.

6:18 p.m.: Stiles Switch BBQ is helping to provide food for the party.

“Thank you for having us on this inaugural day. The ATeam bringing the Smoked Meats. Swing by & say ‘Howdy’ if you are here & don’t worry both locations are open tonight,” the restaurant posted on social media.

5:33 p.m.: Video from @kelly_dlux on Twitter show displays inside the Giga Texas factory during Cyber Rodeo.

5:11 p.m.: Attendees got to sign a Tesla model at the factory.

4:35 p.m.: Here’s a look inside the factory.

4:15 p.m.: Long lines were seen as early as an hour and a half before the event opened its doors at 4 p.m.

11 a.m.: We will update this section throughout the day as we receive them.