Catch the Wienermobile in action this weekend

GREEN BAY — Few vehicles turn heads quite like the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, and this weekend, Green Bay residents will get their chance to see the famous hot dog on wheels up close. The 27 foot long iconic vehicle will make several Wisconsin stops as part of its national tour, parking in Door County, De Pere, and Green Bay for a series of community events.

The Wienermobile’s visit marks one of the final Midwest stops on its fall tour before heading south for the winter. The vehicle will travel to Sister Bay on Friday for local Halloween festivities, then roll into Misty Ridge Apple Orchard in De Pere on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon where kids in costume will get a free cider donut and a chance to see the 27 foot long hot dog up close. The weekend will wrap up Sunday morning at Stadium View Sports Bar & Grill in Green Bay for pre-game festivities ahead of the Packers home matchup at Lambeau Field. Fans of all ages can tour the inside, take photos, and collect the famous “Wiener Whistles” from the Oscar Mayer “Hotdoggers”, the name for the brand ambassadors who drive and manage the vehicle on its year round cross country route.

Hotdogger Emma, known by her on road nickname “Miles of Smiles,” said the Wienermobile’s history stretches back nearly nine decades.

“The Wienermobile was created by Carl Mayer, Oscar Mayer’s nephew, in 1936 in Chicago during the Great Depression as a way to kind of spark smiles and get the product in the hands of people who need it most,” Emma said.

What began as a creative marketing idea in the heart of Chicago has grown into one of the most recognizable brand vehicles in America. There are currently six Wienermobiles touring the United States year round. Each is driven by two college graduates chosen for the coveted one year “Hotdogger” role. These ambassadors travel thousands of miles, visiting schools, grocery stores, festivals, and community events to promote positivity and share the joy the Wienermobile has represented for generations.

For Emma, life on the road with the Wienermobile is unlike any other experience.

“It’s the best job ever,” she said. “Every day brings something new and unexpected. It’s so much fun, and no two days are ever the same. Having such an unpredictable job makes it exciting.”

When asked what her favorite experience was on the road, Emma was quick to respond.

“I would say when we were in Des Moines, Iowa, we were driving down the road leaving an event and we saw a bride and a groom taking wedding photos,” she said with a laugh. “So we slammed on the brakes, put on our hazards, and we yelled to them to get in, and the two of them and their two wedding photographers got in. We ended up driving them to their reception. That’s probably been one of my favorite moments so far.” She said stories like that show the true purpose behind the Wienermobile’s long running mission — spreading joy in the most unexpected places.

When asked what it’s like to bring such a well loved piece of American history to a historic football town like Green Bay, Emma said the experience never gets old.

“Everywhere we go, people have a story about seeing the Wienermobile as a kid or taking their kids to see it now,” she said. “It’s amazing how something so simple can make people smile and remind them of happy memories.”

After wrapping up its Wisconsin stops, the Wienermobile will continue its Midwest route through November before heading south for the winter months.

“It’s not just about promoting a brand,” Emma said. “It’s about connecting with people, creating memories, and bringing smiles wherever we go. That’s what makes it all worth it.”