AKRON, Ohio — In a city that brought the world rubber tires and iconic dirigibles, the sky above Akron this week will serve as a canvas for a historic spectacle. On Tuesday, June 3, 2025, three Goodyear airships — Wingfoot One, Wingfoot Two, and Wingfoot Three — will converge in the Ohio sky to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the first branded zeppelin flight by the company. This rare gathering, last seen in 2018, is not only a celebration of aviation heritage but also a love letter to the city that breathes along with Goodyear. As pilots prepare for flights over downtown Akron and residents grab their cameras, this event reminds us: in an age of jet planes and drones, zeppelins still captivate the imagination.
A Century in the Air
Exactly one hundred years ago, on June 3, 1925, the zeppelin Pilgrim, the first branded Goodyear airship, ascended over Wingfoot Lake in Suffield Township, near Akron. This flight, marking the dawn of the advertising era in aviation, laid the foundation for a legacy that spanned wars, sports arenas, and Hollywood screens. Today, Wingfoot One, adorned with retro styling in silver and black in honor of Pilgrim, will lead its siblings — Wingfoot Two from Florida and Wingfoot Three from California — in a three-day “victory lap” over Akron. “This is more than just tire advertising,” says Joe Erb, senior pilot of Wingfoot One and a native of Northeast Ohio. “It’s a way to bring people together, to show them the world from a new perspective.”
Founded in Akron in 1898, Goodyear made zeppelins its symbol from 1910 onward, when the company began producing rubber coatings for airships. From military dirigibles of World Wars I and II to the first live broadcast from the Rose Bowl in 1955, Goodyear airships have become a symbol of American ingenuity. Modern models, like Wingfoot One, are semi-rigid airships, 75 meters long, with an internal framework allowing them to maneuver at speeds up to 70 miles per hour and carry up to 12 passengers. “It’s not just nostalgia,” notes chief pilot Gerry Hissam, who has spent 28 years at the controls. “It’s an engineering marvel that still impresses.”
Where and When to Watch
The celebration, linked to Akron’s bicentennial, will begin on June 3 at 11:00 a.m. (weather permitting), when the three airships will take off from Wingfoot Lake State Park at 993 Goodyear Park Blvd, Mogadore. The best view will be from the park’s waterfront, where aviation enthusiasts and families will gather to capture the historic moment. Between 5:00 and 6:30 p.m., the airships will fly over Lock 3 (200 South Main St.), where Mayor Shama Malik will deliver his second city address. “It’s a symbol of Akron’s pride,” Malik said, whose office is coordinating the festivities.
At 7:35 p.m., the airships will appear over Canal Park during the game between the Akron RubberDucks and the Chesapeake Baysox. The first 1,000 fans will receive commemorative anniversary T-shirts. On Wednesday, June 4, the airships will again fly over the city, starting at 10:00 a.m., covering downtown and eastern Akron. Although exact routes are not yet announced, Goodyear advises keeping an eye on the sky from open spaces such as parks or shoulders. “It’s like a treasure hunt,” laughs Hissam. “You hear their hum, and your heart stops.”
Weather, as always, may cause adjustments. In 2018, rain delayed a similar flight, and in 2002, four Goodyear airships gathered together for the first time since the 1960s. “We depend on the wind and the sun,” explains Erb, a retired military pilot who compares formation flying to dancing. “But when everything lines up, it’s magic.” For those who miss the show, Goodyear plans to visit 100 cities in 2025, but Akron will remain the only place where all three airships will converge.
A Flying Heritage
For Akron, the city that grew up alongside Goodyear, zeppelins are more than just marketing tools. “Almost everyone here has a connection to the company,” says Hissam, recalling relatives who worked at Goodyear factories. “It’s our soul.” The museum in Wingfoot Lake Hangar preserves artifacts like photos of Pilgrim’s first flight and cabins of past models. In 1928, one zeppelin landed on the roof of a department store in downtown Akron, causing local newspapers to erupt with excitement. Today, Goodyear airships have appeared in movies such as “Sharm” and “A Star Is Born,” and have flown over 2,000 events, from Olympics to Super Bowls.
But behind the festive mood lie challenges. While effective for advertising, zeppelins cost millions to maintain, and their role in the digital era sparks debate at Goodyear’s headquarters. “Drones are cheaper, but they don’t have a soul,” wrote a user on platform X (formerly Twitter), commenting on the anniversary. Adam Basara, a pilot with 12 years of experience, sees something more in airships: “They inspire. Someone will see us and want to invent something new.”
Looking to the Sky
As Akron prepares for the show, the community reflects on its history. From military Zeppelins patrolling convoys during World War II to passengers like Amelia Earhart climbing onboard, Goodyear created a legend that extends beyond tires. For Erb, who calls the flight over Akron “a journey home,” and for thousands of residents who will look skyward, these three days are a moment of unity. “We don’t just fly,” he says. “We remind people to dream.”
So bring your cameras, find a good vantage point, and look up. In a city that taught the world how to fly, Goodyear zeppelins serve as a reminder: some dreams are lighter than air.
