Parking and Traffic Plans for Akron Blimp Christening Event(Does This Mean Its a Christian Blimp"?

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 30 -- The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company is asking the public to use special off-site bus transportation for attending the christening ceremony of its newest airship -- the "Spirit of America" -- on Thursday, Sept. 5 at approximately 8:30 a.m.

At Goodyear's christening event for the "Spirit of Goodyear" in 2000, the company moved several thousand people safely and securely from an off-site parking area to the Wingfoot Lake hangar and back without incident, according to company officials.

The public is directed to park at the Tri-County Plaza parking lot in Lakemore, Ohio, about one mile south of the main intersection of S.R. 91 and S.R. 224. The first buses will leave the parking area at 6 a.m. The last bus to the hangar will depart the plaza at 8 a.m. The buses will make return runs from the hangar throughout the morning, but the last run from the hangar to the parking area will depart the hangar at 10:30 a.m.

And, like most big events these days, Goodyear is asking the public to leave big bags at home.

For everyone's safety and to ensure there is plenty of room on the buses, Goodyear is asking everyone to leave their oversized bags, large camera bags and other bulky items at home or in their car. Personal items are subject to inspection.

There will be no public parking at the Wingfoot Lake Airship facility and the facility's main access road, Wingfoot Lake Road in Suffield Township, will have restricted traffic. Only local residents, emergency vehicles, school buses and vehicles with handicap licenses will be allowed access to the road and facility.

Goodyear has posted a map to the parking area on its website at www.goodyear.com .