AKRON — You only get one sesquicentennial, so Goodyear is planning to help Canada celebrate its milestone year with aerial coverage of Canada Day festivities and fireworks.
The Goodyear blimp will fly over Ottawa, Ontario, on July 1, helping Canadians commemorate their country's 150th anniversary.
"Having the iconic Goodyear Blimp fly above Ottawa, Canada's capital city, as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Canada's confederation will add yet another notable moment to the year-long celebrations we are enjoying in 2017," Michael Crockatt, president and CEO of Ottawa Tourism, said in a statement.
"The views from the blimp on Canada Day — July 1 — of the hundreds of thousands of revelers in our streets will be spectacular!"
According to the Ottawa Tourism website, three sites — Major's Hill Park, Canada Museum of History and Parliament Hill — will host official Canada Day activities. The schedule of events includes a 21-gun salute, an air show, fireworks. concerts, trivia, children's activities, dance performances and exhibits highlighting Canada's history.
Those attending Canada Day events in Ottawa are encouraged to keep an eye on the sky, snapping pictures of the blimp and sharing their stories on social media using #TrueNorthBlimp.
Those who spot the blimp on its trip to Ottawa and back are encouraged do the same. The airship will cross into Canada at Watertown, N.Y. and travel to Carp Airport, west of Ottawa, arriving on June 29. It begin its return flight on July 2.
While in Canada July 1, select Goodyear customers, members of the media and the two winners of Goodyear's recent blimp ride sweepstakes will have an opportunity to take flight aboard the airship as it travels over Ottawa.
"From the Olympic Games to World Series and Super Bowls, the Goodyear Blimps have a long tradition of being part of the most watched sports and entertainment events in North America and around the world," Paul Fitzhenry, Goodyear's senior vice president and chief communications officer, said in a news release.
"Canada 150 marks an important milestone in the country's history, and we are honored to be part of the celebration, working with our Canadian broadcast partners to deliver captivating aerial coverage to Canadians from coast to coast to coast."
This marks the first time this year that the Goodyear blimp has crossed the border into Canada since the newly christened Wingfoot Two spent two weeks in the Toronto area, providing aerial coverage of the World Cup of Hockey in September. Prior to that, the now retired Spirit of Innovation airship traveled to Abbotsford, B.C. in July 2016.
More information about the Goodyear's iconic airship is available at www.goodyearblimp.com.