DANVILLE, Va. (WDBJ) - The Goodyear Blimp is taking to the skies in Danville in honor of it’s 100th anniversary.

Even though it’s been around for a century, this was the first time for many locals like Danny Patterson to see it up close.

He was at the Danville Airport to watch his son-in-law who works for Goodyear take a ride on the blimp.

“This is the closest I’ve ever been to it,” said Danny Patterson, Pittsylvania County resident. ”It’s a privilege to have something like that this close by.”

As part of its 100th birthday, the blimp took groups of up to six Goodyear employees on 40-minute rides above the city to acknowledge their hard work creating tires like the ones on the blimp.

Goodyear is one of Danville’s largest employers with over 800 employees.

“I’ve landed airplanes and b

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