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Weinermobile Visits Lodi

On my way to get milk yesterday evening, I was surprised to see a national icon outside the Lodi Public Library:  The Weinermobile.

Hotdoggers

Nikki and Ally1My apologies if those are spelled wrong, ladies. spent the afternoon at the Lodi Farmers’ Market with the Southeast Weinermobile, who’s territory extends from Tennessee to Florida.  On the way back to Madison, a group of young people saw them and started singing the Oscar Mayer jingle.  Being good “Hotdoggers”, the young women pulled over in front of the library and took time to talk with the group that had gathered.

There are six Weinermobiles that travel around the US, each staffed by two “Hotdoggers”. From Wikipedia:

Only college seniors who are about to graduate are eligible to be Hotdoggers. Applicants should have a BA or BS, preferably in public relations, journalism, communications, advertising, or marketing.

Hotdogger’s assignment is for only one year. Recruiting for each year’s new Hotdogger cadre involves current Hotdoggers and Oscar Mayer recruiters visiting college campuses across the country. In 2018, 7,000 people applied to be a Hotdoggers. As each Wienermobile carries two Hotdoggers, only 12 Hotdoggers are selected each year.

Why Lodi?

While the Oscar Mayer plant may have shut down, the Weinermobile program is still based out of Madison.  All the Hotdoggers are here for a fall staff meeting, but only the Midwest and Southeast Weinermobiles are present–the other Hotdoggers flew in.  While the two didn’t share all of the details of the meeting, Allie did mention that part of the Weinermobile drivers’ training includes taking the Merrimac Ferry.  Every driver has to do it.

While they’re in Wisconsin for the meeting, Nikki and Ally have been continuing their duties throughout the area.  Ed Roland, an events coordinator for the teams, is a Lodi area resident and scheduled the pair to appear at the Farmers’ Market.

The Weinermobile has been on the road–in one form or another–since 1936.  And it’s always fun when one rolls up, opens up, and spreads a few smiles.

As Ally says:

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile’s main goal is to make people smile. It’s hard not to when you see a giant hotdog on wheels! 🙂

Footnotes

Footnotes
1 My apologies if those are spelled wrong, ladies.

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