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Legendary Goodyear Blimp return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026

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Goodyear and the legendary Goodyear Blimp return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2026

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 30, 2026) — The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company will return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh with its iconic blimp, Wingfoot One, continuing a tradition of airship appearances over Oshkosh. The annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, with the blimp scheduled to arrive Thursday, July 23.

Built on a legacy of innovation, Goodyear continues to advance tire technology. From advanced tire designs and intelligent systems to dynamic simulation capabilities, Goodyear’s cutting-edge science helps enable higher performance, enhanced safety and more efficient mobility in virtually every driving environment. The Goodyear Blimp serves as one of the most visible expressions of this legacy, bringing the company’s spirit of innovation to the skies and offering an exciting, high-impact way to showcase the breadth of Goodyear’s brand to audiences around the world.

Wingfoot One plans to fly at various times throughout the week of the 73rd edition of AirVenture, marking 55 years since the Goodyear Blimp America made its initial appearance at the EAA fly-in in 1971. Since then, Goodyear has remained a regular participant at EAA events, with the last appearance in 2025 when it brought two blimps to Oshkosh to celebrate 100 years of Goodyear’s very first branded blimp, Pilgrim.

“The Goodyear Blimp is unmatched in both its pedigree and in the excitement that it generates among attendees arriving to AirVenture. Whether soaring through the sky or parked at Pioneer Airport, it is one of the first things visitors see when they arrive,“ said Rick Larsen, vice president of communities and member programs for EAA, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Goodyear has been a fixture at the event over the past 50-plus years, and its presence in 2026 proves EAA AirVenture is a truly ‘blimp-worthy’ event.”

Goodyear’s exhibitor display (#489 in Main Aircraft Display) will also showcase the company’s comprehensive aviation portfolio, which for more than a century has advanced high-performance design, materials and engineering for operators across commercial, military and private aviation worldwide. In addition, the exhibit will highlight Goodyear’s extensive consumer product portfolio, feature engaging marketing initiatives, and offer exclusive Goodyear-branded merchandise for purchase.

“AirVenture gives us an unmatched opportunity to engage with aviation enthusiasts on the world’s stage,” said Joe Burke, Vice President, Global Aviation, Goodyear. “Whether they are seeing the Goodyear Blimp overhead or engaging with our Aviation team on the ground, events like this allow us to bring our story to life, showcasing both the legacy of our iconic Blimp and the innovative aviation solutions that support pilots and operators every day.”

For more than 100 years, Goodyear has been on the leading edge of aviation tire innovation and building airships for commercial and military use, including hundreds of blimps for the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1955, Goodyear pioneered the first live aerial coverage of a nationally televised event, which boomed into a worldwide phenomenon making Goodyear Blimp synonymous with the biggest events in sports and culture.

More information about the blimps and Goodyear’s Aviation offerings is available at goodyearblimp.com and goodyearaviation.com.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

NASA astronauts, “Memphis Belle” cast headline Theater in the Woods

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NASA astronauts, “Memphis Belle” cast headline

Theater in the Woods at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (June 23, 2026) — Attendees of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 are invited to a powerful week of evening programming at the Theater in the Woods. From Sunday, July 19, to Saturday, July 25, a series of nightly events will gather noteworthy people from NASA astronauts to those involved with the 1990 war drama Memphis Belle.

“After a full day on the Oshkosh flight line, evenings at Theater in the Woods have been the perfect place to sit back and hear from aviation’s greats,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This year’s programming again creates ‘only at Oshkosh’ moments with those involved in aviation history, cutting-edge technology, or the silver screen.”

Schedule of Events:

Sunday, July 19 – An Evening with Champions: The History of the USAF Heritage Flight (7-9 p.m.)

Kick off the week with some of aviation’s best as they talk about what it took to create the USAF Heritage Flight, and how they keep it going.

 

Monday, July 20 – U.S. Air Force’s salute to America’s 250th birthday (7:30-9:15 p.m.)

The United States Air Force will lead a program featuring a swearing in ceremony at 7:30 p.m., followed by country music star Tyler Hubbard taking the stage at 8 p.m.

 

Tuesday, July 21 – A Home in Space: From the Shuttle and Beyond (7-9 p.m.)

Celebrate 45 years of the space shuttle with a panel of NASA astronauts and personnel including Hoot Gibson, Charlie Precourt, Eileen Collins, and Jeanie Engle, moderated by the National Air and Space Museum’s Jennifer Levasseur, curator of the space shuttle and ISS exhibits.

 

Wednesday, July 22 – Concept to Cockpit (6:30-7:45 p.m.)

WomenVenture day will be capped off with a panel of women who have made an impact in aircraft design featuring Xyla Foxlin, Jessica Cox, Margaret Viola, and Kacy Anderson.

 

Thursday, July 23 – Memphis Belle: Telling the Story on the Big Screen (7-9 p.m.)

Hear from cast and crew members of the 1990 film as they recount what it was like to tell the story on the big screen.

 

Friday, July 24 – 9/11: A Look Back 25 Years Later (7-9 p.m.)

Honoring those who risked their lives at a time of tragedy, hear from a collection of brave individuals as they reflect on their firsthand experiences. Featuring members of the FDNY, NYPD, Air Force One, and NASA. Also, meet the RAF Red Arrows Team.

 

Saturday, July 25 – Mission Marge: The Discovery of the Ace of Ace’s Lightning (6:30-7:45 p.m.)

A mission to recover artifacts from America’s leading ace during World War II. Members of Richard Bong’s family, Richard I Bong Veterans Center, Pacific Wrecks, and the 128th Air Refueling Wing share the story of the mission.

 

Evening programs at Theater in the Woods are supported by M&M’S and included with AirVenture admission.

 

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

Southwest Airlines – ‘Independence One’ – EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

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Southwest Airlines bringing ‘Independence One’ to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Celebrating service, women in aviation, and freedom to fly during July 22-23 appearance

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (May 24, 2026) — Southwest Airlines® announced it will participate in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, with its high-flying tribute to America’s semiquincentennial celebration, Independence One. This newly launched, freedom-flying Boeing 737 MAX 8 will visit the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® on Wednesday, July 22, showcasing Southwest®’s support of those who’ve given us the freedom to fly.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, the 73rd Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention, is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.

The thousands of aviation enthusiasts who annually visit EAA AirVenture will get to see Independence One up close and personal as it carries Southwest Airlines Employees who have served in the military and those with loved ones who have served, culminating in an impressive total of over 1,300 years of military service onboard.

“Independence One is a stunning, colorful tribute to our freedom as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “It will undoubtedly be a big attraction and photo op during AirVenture, as EAA again brings together airplanes and people in a single location that is unmatched anywhere else in the world.”

Southwest is returning as a sponsor of WomenVenture, a conference aimed at inspiring and empowering women in aviation. Emily Estapa, Managing Director of Network Operations Control ATC Training and Standards at Southwest Airlines and a U.S. Air Force veteran, will be speaking at the WomenVenture forum on July 22.

“When women come together, we’re able to support one another and share our journeys,” Estapa said. “That collective sense of belonging and visibility doesn’t just advance individual careers—it elevates the entire aviation industry.”

Keep an eye out for Independence One parked on Boeing Plaza on Wednesday, July 22.

About EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” and EAA’s membership convention. Additional information, including advance ticket and camping purchase, is available at www.EAA.org/airventure. For more information on EAA and its programs, call 800-JOIN-EAA (800-564-6322) or visit www.EAA.org.

About Southwest Airlines Co.    

Southwest Airlines Co. operates one of the world’s most admired and awarded airlines, offering its one-of-a-kind value and Hospitality at 122 airports across 12 countries. Southwest took flight in 1971 to democratize the sky through friendly, reliable, and low-cost air travel and now carries more air travelers flying nonstop within the United States than any other airline(fn. 1). By empowering its more than 73,000(fn. 2) People to deliver unparalleled Hospitality, the maverick airline cherishes a passionate loyalty among more than 134 million Customers carried in 2025. Southwest leverages a unique legacy and mission to serve communities around the world including harnessing the power of its People and Purpose to put communities at the Heart of its success. Learn more by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

  1. Based on U.S. Dept. of Transportation quarterly Airline Origin & Destination Survey as of Q4 2025
  1. Fulltime-equivalent active Employees as of March 31, 2026