On your marks, get set, Hot Dogs?

In a recent one week span, Cookout Kelly and I have come across not one, not two, but three Wienermobile-shaped Pinewood Derby Cars! Like the Wienermobile, they sure look like they could haul buns! They each get an award for creativity, but I do have one question – where’s the ketchup? Check out these miniature hot dogs on wheels below:

Hannah from Jefferson City, MO showing off the Red Hot Wienermobile derby car next to our famous "Bun Box."

KC in St. Peters, MO decked out her Wienermobile racer with replica windows and even Oscar Mayer's yellow band!

Cal, in St. Charles, MO created a literal hot dog on wheels!

As we make our way up and down the hot dog highways, visitors to the Wienermobile vehicle frequently ask the same question: “What is that big box for in the back?” Some ask if it’s a microwave or our hot dog maker, but it actually serves a completely different purpose.

This “box” is actually very important to a Hotdogger’s life on the road and to the execution of our many events. It is home to these features that we use every single day. Here’s some features of the Wienermobile control panel:

• Cabin outlets. This feature enables us to work on our long drive days. This allows us to relish our off days without having to worry about work.
• Interior lights. Like any vehicle, we need to be able to find our way around in the dark. Our LED lights do just the trick!
• Music.  We have over 20 different bunderful versions of the Oscar Mayer Jingle/Bologna Song and it comes right from our stereo system. This makes all of our events so lively and has you singing about Oscar Mayer all day!
• TV/DVDs. We even have a flat screen tv in the Wienermobile that needs a power source. Our CD player doubles as a DVD player so we can have Wienermobile movie nights (We’ll bring the hot dogs!!!).
• Solar Power. The new 2012 vehicles can switch over to solar power if needed. Hot dog!
• Jingle Horn. Can’t forget about arguably the coolest feature on the Wienermobile, the horn! If you hear, “Oh I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener!” while we’re rolling down the street, now you know where it came from!

Even though we have the best job in the world, being on the road can take a toll on us as Hotdoggers. Sometimes, it’s nice to get away from the every day grind and see a familiar face. During a stop in Tampa, FL I had the opportunity to experience a little slice of home, when I stopped by my grandparents’ retirement community. My grandparents are what us Midwesterners call “snowbirds,” they live in the north in the summertime and flock down to Florida for a few months during the winter. They treated me to a bunderful meal and allowed me to relax in the comfort of relatives.

Of course, I couldn’t visit them without bringing the Wienermobile. Their generation grew up with it so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to let them see the big dog up close! Like anywhere else, we drew a crowd right away from all of the other residents in the community. We had golf carts upon golf carts pull up to the Wienermobile the very second I pulled in creating quite the scene. Never before had I seen so many golf carts in one place. Needless to say, I was grilled with many Wienermobile questions and gave many of my grandparents’ friends rides that day. The Wienermobile may have stolen the show, but for me, being able to ketchup with my family after months of being away meant the most to me that day.

It’s not every day you meat a bagpipe player, but it’s even more rare to ketchup with one who knows how to rock out with the Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle! Check out this video as we enjoy our favorite song played bunderfully on the bagpipes.

Every year as winter rolls in, northerners flock to the south to escape the blistering cold. During the summer, these same people take in the beautiful Midwestern weather. Somehow, I got this backwards. After spending the last several monts in the Southeast, I’m taking the scenic-kraut back to the Midwest where I’ll spend my final months as a Hotdogger.

Right off the bat, I was hit with shocking weather. Zero degree temperatures and a snowstorm all in the same week! Being from the Midwest, I’m used to this weather, but the Southeast region spoiled me for a few months. I had to get back into the winter routine: scraping off the windshield, warming the Wienermobile, brushing off the vehicle, etc. At events, we have to layer our clothing and bundle up to stay warm. We don’t want to be chili dogs all day! It’s a whole new regime but definitely brings me back to my roots.

Wienermobile Bean Bag Toss? Count me in! As an avid sports fan, I’ve spent countless hours of my youth perfecting my skills hoping to become a bean bag champion. During Hot Dog High, when my superiors Ed and Sam challenged Beefalicious Ben and I to our first ever Wienermobile bean bag toss game, my skills were quickly tested. We put up a fight, but needless to say, we were terribly outmatched by these veterans. The only thing Ben and I gained on our game was added humility…

After this embarrassment, it has become my mission to become the ultimate Wienermobile bean bag champion. Luckily, being a Hotdogger provides many opportunities to perfect my craft. At every event, we are given the chanceto pick the activity that we would like to spread miles of smiles with. Perhaps the most popular activity is bean bag toss, which gives me the perfect opportunity to practice up for the next big game.

I’ve been working event after event, taking on numerous challengers in my quest to be the best. We play many different versions of bean bag toss with the Wienermobile, as we want to include people of all ages in the activities. For kids, bean bag toss can be as simple as tossing the Oscar Mayer bean bag into the hole in order to win cool prizes such as stickers, whistles, and keychains. For adults, they can also play one on one with a friend or challenge a Hotdogger to a game.

I must say, after numerous games of triumph and defeat, as well as learning from some experts on the road, bean bag toss has become my game. If you think you’re up for the challenge, find me, Deli Eliot, at a Wienermobile near you. If you beat me in a regulation game, I can personally guarantee a one of a kind Wienermobile plush beanie coming your way. Even if you don’t win, everyone still receives a Wiener Whistle, of course!

While in Orlando, Florida, Anggie Dogg and I had the opportunity to spread miles of smiles while helping those in need. Teaming up with Seniors First, we drove around the Orlando community delivering meals to seniors who are not able to leave their homes. Check out this bunderful video of one lucky lady’s first ever encounter with the Wienermobile

While traveling the hot dog highways, Oscar Mayer Hotdoggers frequently get requests for rides in the Wienermobile vehicle, as many have wondered what it is like to go down the road in a 27-foot-long hot dog. Well, if you’re one of these people, today’s your lucky day! Here’s a little sneak peak of what it is like to be a lucky dog riding shotbun through the Appalachian Mountains in the Wienermobile.

Hey everyone, Deli Eliot back here ready to go.  Sorry I had to leave right in the middle of my last post, but I got a request for Wiener Wwhistles and you know I can’t say no to that! Are you ready to finally find out what’s bunyond the secret yellow door?

Without further ado…..

…It’s a closet!

Not what you were expecting?  Many Wienermobile visitors are underwhelmed that its just a storage closet, but it is one of the most important areas of the vehicle. This is where we keep all of the famous Wiener Whistles, in addition to all of our event materials, so that our events always cut the mustard. Things you’ll find back here includes whistles, coupons, stickers, coloring pads, and much much more!  

You can see space for our Hotdogger luggage, which is essential on when we have long days along the hot dog highways.  Because we spend a year on the road, having space for our personal belongings is a must!

Now, just remember this is strictly between Hotdoggers and our readers; otherwise it’s our relished secret.  

Have you ever bundered what’s behind the door in the Wienermobile? Is there a wienie-bathroom back there? Do we have beds and sleep in a wieniebago? Maybe we have a complete selection of Oscar Mayer franks back there…

As much as we would love to have all of these GREAT ideas present in the buns of the Wienermobile, I have to say, none of the above…..But we have something even better. This room will spread miles of smiles to each child that sees it and gives goosebumps to any adult that even dares to sneak a peak. Its a place where every Wienermobile fan has dreamed of and us Hotdoggers treasure.

This secret place has been kept under wraps for awhile, but we’re ready to finally show everyone!

Wait someone is coming…I’ve gotta go! Check back with me soon and I’ll reveal the secret. But remember, it’s only between us Hotdoggers and Wienermobile fanatics! Ketchup with you later!