For as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to see the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in person. To be honest, I did SEE it once. I was driving somewhere and it was on the same road going in the other direction. I counted that sighting like some people count places they’ve visited. A stopover at an airport doesn’t really count; neither does passing the Wienermobile on the highway.
Late one evening, I was checking my Facebook page and someone posted that the Wienermobile would be at our neighborhood’s bi-weekly farmer’s market. I’m pretty sure I actually shrieked when I read it. I shared it with some friends in the area, checked the forecast and made plans.
Driving up, the telltale tip of the curved hot dog stood out among the tents selling breads, produce and loads of fun farmer’s market items. Alone in my car, I giggled like a kid.
I made a beeline for the iconic vehicle. The two-person crew, called “Hotdoggers,” was still setting up, so I grabbed a quick selfie then headed to the vegetable booth for some fresh produce.
Once the set-up was complete, I headed back over and chatted with the crew. It turns out there are SIX Wienermobiles on the road at this time. This one covers the western US … everywhere from the coast to the Dakotas. Anna told me the area is large, but they tend to stick to metropolitan areas like Las Vegas and Phoenix. She offered to snap a pic of me and the giant, motorized hot dog. I jumped at the chance!
The door to the inside was open, but there were ropes to prevent entry … and the retractable step was pushed in. I asked if I could climb up on the doorstep and got the green light. The inside looks comfy. Six, big seats adorned with Oscar Mayer’s signature red and yellow colors practically beg to be sat in. I settled for a couple of pictures.
The iconic driveable dog has been around since 1936. Who knew? I remember as a child wishing we would stumble upon it during our travels. My sisters and I sang the Oscar Mayer commercial jingle and ate our fair share of dogs. I tried nearly every topping before figuring out my favorite is ketchup, mustard and relish. Of course, the occasional chili dog is always welcome.
My excited chatting was apparently enough to warrant a special gift. Anna reached into her pocket and presented me with a wiener whistle. She mentioned that they are limited and collectible. I gushed a quick thank you and, trying not to wear out my welcome, I asked the team to smile for a photo.
I stepped aside so she could talk to other fans. Buzzing with a new memory and the thrill of ticking a lifelong item off my bucket list, I headed for home. There’s a whole world out there just waiting to be explored. Never give up on your childhood dreams!
PS … unlike when I was a child, you can now find the Wienermobile’s schedule at https://omwienermobile.com/
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