The Goodyear Blimp, decked out in its original colors, will be in the air above coastal Massachusetts next month when it travels to the town of Plymouth on the 70th anniversary of a regional tire and auto service chain and the 100th anniversary of the blimp.
The iconic airship, which has been a reliable presence above sporting events and parades for at least a half-century, will be tethered at Plymouth Municipal Airport in Plymouth on June 23 and 24.
The dirigible coming to Massachusetts is Goodyear’s oldest operating blimp, Wingfoot One, first launched in 2014. For the occasion, it will be wrapped in black and silver color scheme of the first Goodyear Blimp, Pilgrim, launched in 1925, and will bear the vintage logo of the time.
The Goodyear Blimp name — like James Bond, Air Force One or Lassie — is transferrable, used for any blimp in Goodyear’s fleet, which today consists of three airships in the U.S. and one in Europe.
It’s unclear when the Goodyear Blimp last came to New England, but its current schedule does not include any dates outside of the Midwest.
The visit to Massachusetts is to mark the 70th anniversary of Sullivan Tire and Auto Service, a New England chain, and includes a sweepstakes from which five people will win a 40-minute ride in the famous blimp.