Wingfoot Two christening: Goodyear blimp recalls home for most Akronites

AKRON, Ohio - Low grey clouds and cold drizzle didn't dampen spirits for those attending the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.'s Wingfoot Two blimp christening Friday.

The event, held at Goodyear's Wingfoot Lake blimp hangar, featured Akronite Savannah James, a businesswoman, philanthropist and wife of LeBron James, who also attended the ceremony. At the culmination of the christening she gave a surprised laugh as she smashed a bottle of champagne on the blimp's gondola.

Those in the crowd, mostly Goodyear employees, their families and guests, brought their kids to enjoy the event that celebrates an international icon of Akron.

Many waited patiently in a long line to have photos taken in front of a green screen, holding inflatable blimps and other Goodyear props, so it looked like were standing in front of Wingfoot Two.

Wingfoot Two christening special to Akronites

Although Goodyear has christened more than 300 blimps over the years, each blimp celebration is memorable for area residents. That's because the blimp means Akron, and Akron means home.

While speaking, Savannah James told the crowd about how she and LeBron always saw the blimp while growing up in Akron.

What does it mean now, when she sees it fly over large sports arenas?

"That's Akron," James said.

Others are in complete agreement.

"It's our little blimp that flies around Akron," said Andreea Leabu, 29, of Wadsworth. Leabu's friend, Olivia Jones, 24, of Mogadore, agreed. "When you see it, you just think of Akron," she said.

Ben and Becky Leahy have seen the blimp frequently when they travel and consider it a worldwide icon.

"Anything that's major, the blimp is always there and it's so easily recognizable," said Ben, who's worked in Goodyear's global engineering area for 42 years. "We say there it is!" he said, pointing to the sky.

Leahy had the chance to ride in the blimp once, when he and other Goodyear workers won a work raffle in Freeport, Ill.

Goodyear blimps are special to kids too

Melissa Gould, 33, of Akron, brought her daughter, Bella, and nephew, Landon, both 7, to the christening.

"The blimp is part of summer in Ohio," Gould said. "I've always known the sky with it. It's like home"

So how excited was Landon to attend the blimp christening?

"It's a thousand times more exciting than when we went to the Columbus Zoo," he said.

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