The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will visit the 157th Kane County Fair in St. Charles. It will be there from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 18. Fair spokesperson Pat Szpekowski expressed excitement over this event, stating that efforts have been ongoing for a decade to secure the visit.
The Wienermobile will be driven by Maile Carballo and Lindsey Kulesza, both recent college graduates. Carballo mentioned their involvement in the ‘coast-to-coast wienie roast’. Though not grilling hot dogs, they will host hot dog-related games and distribute free stickers and Oscar Mayer Wiener Whistles, a nostalgic toy from 1952 only obtainable in person.
The Wienermobile, tracing back 90 years, currently consists of six 27-foot-long vehicles each operated by two ‘hotdoggers’. Car and Driver reports that over 5,000 applications are received annually for the hotdogger position.
This role sparked Carballo’s interest while at the University of Texas at Austin. She applied online, followed by a virtual interview and later a visit to Glenview for further interaction with the company. Meanwhile, Kulesza, a journalism graduate from the University of Missouri, learned of the opportunity through Oscar Mayer’s on-campus recruiting.
The two formed a team after meeting in Glenview. Their training took place at Oscar Mayer’s ‘Hot Dog High’ in Madison, Wisconsin, alongside other recruits, before starting their Midwest journey. Carballo cherished the experience, citing memorable moments like attending a Family Day event in Des Plaines and participating in the Independence Day parade in Indiana. Driving the Wienermobile poses its own set of challenges, similar to maneuvering a large SUV or small bus, according to Kulesza.
Carballo enjoys diverse hot dog flavors, ranging from bacon-wrapped Sonoran dogs to Austin pop-ups like Grandpa’s Glizzys and Zee’s Wiener System. She has also grown fond of Chicago-style hot dogs. Although Kulesza was initially hesitant, she appreciates the classic Chicago approach now.
The Kane County Fair, running from July 15-19, will host various attractions including a rodeo, demolition derby, live music, carnival rides, and more at the St. Charles fairgrounds. Further details and the event schedule are available at www.kanecountyfair.com.