Utahns ‘relish’ visit by the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile
Apr 19, 2024, 7:39 AM | Updated: 8:14 am

'BBQ' Braden Schroeder and 'Aioli' Anna Murphy say they're having a great time driving a big hot dog on wheels around town this week. Photo courtesy of Braden Schroeder
SALT LAKE CITY — You may have seen the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile this week, the giant and iconic hot dog on wheels, on your drive through Salt Lake City. Thursday the big bun and dog set up at Sugar House Park greeting fans, and Friday they’ll be camping at K-O-A Utah. ‘Aioli’ Anna Murphy says they’re having fun with all the stares and waves.
“I think often people will see us randomly, but the fans who really, really want to see us will track us down,” says Murphy. Fans can track events at https://www.oscarmayer.com/wienermobile
After a brief name change to the FrankMobile, the iconic name Weinermobile has been brought back for this Spring’s tour. ‘BBQ’ Braden Schroeder says the name change to the FrankMobile was done to promote Oscar Mayer’s new recipe for their all-beef franks.
“We are back to the Weinermobile. Everyone is happy about it, I must say. But over the summer we got to celebrate as the ‘FrankMobile’ traveling because of our new recipe for all-beef franks, which I must admit are delicious…but we are awfully happy to be back as the Weinermobile,” admits Schroeder.
The first Weinermobile came about in 1936 as an idea for a motorized way to carry around the company spokesman. The 13-foot metal hot dog on wheels was designed by General Body Company of Chicago. The design features open cockpits in the center and rear. The Weinermobile has gone through several iterations since then.
Those who drive the Wienermobile around to promotional events are known as Hotdoggers. Perhaps the most famous Hotdogger is former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, who drove the Wienermobile one summer while in college, according to the Associated Press.
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