Goodyear will hold activities and transformations, attracting fans for high-flying experiences
The Goodyear blimp turns 100 years old. High-profile events such as the Super Bowl, Indy 500, Kentucky Derby, and Daytona 500 have all featured the blimp soaring above the crowds.
With thousands of events under its belt, Goodyear decided that a centennial celebration was necessary. A series of activities are planned, but the main event is giving the iconic blimp a retro transformation with a black and silver color scheme, complete with a vintage Goodyear logo, as well as the return of the blue and yellow “house flag” that adorned the sides of the company’s early blimps.
The retro design aims to replicate the look of Goodyear’s first blimp, nicknamed “Pilgrim,” which debuted exactly 100 years ago. It is worth noting that only one Goodyear blimp, the Wingfoot One, is receiving this special treatment.
Currently, there are four Goodyear blimps in operation: Wingfoot One, Wingfoot Two, Wingfoot Three, and a fourth blimp based in Germany, logically named the Europe Blimp. It is operated by the Zeppelin airship company. These three blimps will retain their current blue and yellow design.
Despite these updates, Goodyear states that the graphic transformation takes time and is still in progress. Therefore, it has not yet revealed where the retro paint scheme will make its first appearance. While production is underway, the company is encouraging fans to follow the blimp’s official social media channels and guess where it will first appear with its Pilgrim-inspired graphics, tagging their predictions with @goodyearblimp.
Additionally, Goodyear maintains a list of scheduled blimp appearances as part of its blimp fan website. Given that the company officially recognizes June 3, 2025, as its 100th anniversary date, several high-profile events could see the retro blimp’s first appearance, including the Indy 500 or the Coca-Cola 600, scheduled for Memorial Day weekend on May 24 and 25, or the PGA tournament in Dublin, Ohio, taking place on May 31 and June 1.
Last but not least, fans will also have the opportunity to win a unique passenger flight experience through the “Buy for a Chance to Fly” sweepstakes. Three selected winners will receive a blimp flight certificate for two passengers, redeemable at any of Goodyear’s three U.S. blimp bases (Carson, California; Pompano Beach, Florida; or Akron, Ohio), along with a $3,000 voucher for travel and accommodations. Fans can enter the sweepstakes through a form on Goodyear.com from January 1 to April 10, 2025.
Source and images: caranddriver. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
