The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will be visiting the 157th Kane County Fair in St. Charles on Saturday, July 18, from noon to 6 p.m. This appearance marks a milestone after a decade of efforts by the fair organizers, as mentioned by spokesperson Pat Szpekowski.
The iconic vehicle will be driven by recent college graduates, Maile Carballo and Lindsey Kulesza. Carballo expressed enthusiasm for their participation in a “coast-to-coast wienie roast.” While no hot dogs will be grilled, they plan to host hot dog-themed games and distribute free stickers and the nostalgic Oscar Mayer Wiener Whistles, dating back to 1952.
This visit continues the legacy of the Wienermobile, which first appeared on the roads 90 years ago. Presently, six of these sausage-shaped vehicles travel across the country, each run by a pair of hotdoggers. The job is highly coveted, with over 5,000 applications received annually by Chicago-based Oscar Mayer.
Maile Carballo, originally from Texas, notes the mythical status of the Wienermobile in her childhood. She learned about the hotdogger position while studying advertising and entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Austin. Her application process included a virtual interview, followed by an in-person meeting at Oscar Mayer’s Research and Development Center in Glenview, Illinois, where she met her driving partner Kulesza.
Lindsey Kulesza graduated from the University of Missouri, majoring in journalism with a focus on strategic communication and public relations. She was inspired to apply after hearing from friends who had been hotdoggers. The pair’s journey began with training at Oscar Mayer’s “Hot Dog High” in Madison, Wisconsin.
Both Carballo and Kulesza relish this unique experience. Memorable moments include participating in the Independence Day parade dressed as a hot dog and driving the Wienermobile, which handles similarly to a large SUV or small bus.
Carballo shares her culinary preferences for bacon-wrapped Sonoran dogs at football tailgates and diverse toppings from Austin pop-ups. She has also developed a taste for Chicago-style dogs. Kulesza, initially unfamiliar with Chicago-style hot dogs, came to appreciate them over time.
The Kane County Fair offers a variety of attractions alongside the Wienermobile. Visitors can enjoy a rodeo, demolition derby, live music, a carnival midway, 4-H animal competitions, and more from July 15 to 19. For details on admission and events, visit www.kanecountyfair.com.
“People do honk at us but it’s usually because they are happy to see the Wienermobile.” – Lindsey Kulesza
Reporter Mike Danahey of The (Elgin) Courier-News contributed to this coverage.