Sahara's Last 24 Hours

The Sahara closed its doors for good at 2 p.m. on Monday, May 16, 2011. I was there to document the last 24 hours of operation inside the historic hotel casino, starting at 2 p.m. on Sunday. It was one of the toughest and most physically exhausting assignments of my life. But it was also one of the most rewarding. Here are 24 photos from the Sahara's final 24 hours.

(find tons more Las Vegas Sun Sahara coverage, including awesome stories and historic photos here)

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 2:21 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 3:28 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 5:03 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 5:53 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 6:52 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 8:07 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 8:21 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 9:51 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 11:22 p.m.

Sunday, May 15, 2011 at 11:51 p.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 1:05 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 1:50 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:02 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:57 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 5:33 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 6:33 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 10:02 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 10:11 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 11:17 a.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 1:36 p.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:06 p.m.

Monday, May 16, 2011 at 2:13 p.m.

My Second Viva Las Vegas

Viva Las Vegas came back to town a couple weeks ago. I posted last year about my new fascination with the cute retro fashions of that scene after attending for the first time. After this year's event, my fascination has now expanded to vintage swimwear as well.

Angst at the Fair

Last year, I went to the Clark County Fair and photographed the rodeo. My photos sucked. This year I had a plan: to focus only on teenagers (a favorite subject of mine) at the carnival/midway part of the fair. I went there on a chilly Friday night ready for the kind of teenage drama that only sugary fair food, dizzying rides and twilight can bring out. I was not disappointed this year.

Food and Family Fun

My favorite photo from the San Gennaro Feast this year is the top one in this blog post. This is "Fat" Sonny Marks, 8, the proud owner of Fat Sonny's food booth, one of the many featured at the semi-annual Italian eat-your-face-off festival and carnival. This eight-year-old was the actual owner of the booth, his grandmother bought it for him when he was just two years old. They make a mean meatball.