‘Ketchup’ with the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in Memphis
Don’t be surprised if you see a 27-foot hot dog on wheels this weekend. The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is in Memphis through Monday.
“We’re on a mission to get a better Oscar Mayer hot dog in every hand,” said Conner O’Neil, the Oscar Mayer Hotdogger driving the Wienermobile through town. “Last year we took out all artificial preservatives, all added nitrates and nitrites, and all byproducts from our hot dogs. We’re traveling the country trying to get the word out about that while spreading smiles to as many people as we can.”
O’Neil was full of hot dog puns when asked about his visit to Memphis, encouraging folks to “ketchup” with him while he is in town.
“People should come because it’s definitely something you can ‘relish.’ I mean how often do you see a 27-foot hot dog on wheels? It’s a great way to make a memory that you’ll never forget. If that’s not enough, we just have buns and buns of fun playing various games and activities. We have something for everyone,” he said of the reasons to “meat” up with him.
This fun tradition of the Wienermobile was started by Carl Mayer in 1936, during the height of the Great Depression. This one-of-a-kind car went around to parades, grocery store openings and even hospitals spreading cheer and hot dogs.
Over the years, the Wienermobile evolved and changed.
The 1969 Wienermobile model featured Ford Thunderbird taillights, a Chevy motorhome frame and averaged 187 smiles per gallon.
In 1986, after nine years off the road, the Wienermobile was brought back out for a 50th birthday celebration. Huge crowds of people showed up for its appearance. Cards and letters came pouring in requesting to see the famed 2-ton hot dog. Thanks to the customer enthusiasm, Oscar Mayer decided to build a new fleet and start touring again.
Today, there are six fiberglass Wienermobiles touring the U.S. Each is fully equipped with microwave ovens, refrigerators, cellphones and stereo systems that play different versions of the iconic “Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle.”
Each Wienermobile is manned by a team of two hotdoggers. This one-year position is for recent college graduates who spend the entire year traveling across the country in this car that definitely turns heads.
The Wienermobile will be making six stops across the Memphis area over the three days it is in town.
“People can get a wiener whistle, have their picture taken, grab some coupons and just have a ‘bunderful’ time,” O’Neil said.