Blimp It Up: Goodyear Zeppelin Soars Over Maricopa on 100th Birthday Extravaganza

On March 20, 2025, the iconic Goodyear blimp celebrated its 100th birthday by flying over Maricopa, Arizona. Locals spotted the blimp pass directly overhead at noon, marking a memorable moment for residents. The yellow-and-blue airship also made its way over Copper Sky Regional Park en route to its destination.

Dan Smith, senior airship communications specialist for Goodyear, confirmed that the blimp was returning to its base in Carson, California, following a week at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. This visit marked its first return to Austin in a decade.

“It’s a four-day trip for us, with stops in Pecos, Texas; Deming, New Mexico; Goodyear; and then back to Carson tomorrow,” Smith explained. However, he noted that the aircraft is technically not a “blimp” in the traditional sense.

The Goodyear blimp has a storied history, with the first non-rigid airship, The Pilgrim, built in 1925 using helium. This marked the beginning of the longest-running airship program in history. The airship observed today is known as “Wingfoot Three,” one of three Zeppelin NTs constructed since 2014, and it operates under unique structural principles, relying on internal pressure rather than a rigid frame.

As it traversed Maricopa, the blimp was making a pit stop at Phoenix-Goodyear Airport for an overnight stay to allow the crew some rest, as stated by airport spokesperson Heather Shelbrack.

The Goodyear brand has deep ties to the region. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company initially ventured to Arizona seeking alternatives to Egyptian cotton, leading to extensive land purchases and eventually the establishment of the town that bears its name.

Historically, the Goodyear area developed important infrastructure, including a post office and school by 1918. During World War II, the company’s aircraft division played a significant role at a naval airfield nearby, where 132 Navy blimps operated, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Goodyear airship program.