A Visit from the Weinermobile®

By Erica Huyser, Branch Librarian, Tyrone Twp. Branch

When the phone rings at the library, you never know exactly what it will be about. You learn to expect the unexpected, while also recognizing that most phone calls fit into one of several categories. Something I never could have prepared myself for? Getting a call from Patron Services, telling me that they had Akira from the Oscar Mayer™ Weinermobile® on the other line ready to be transferred over.  

Akira said that she had the afternoon free. Having had a Humane Society visit in the morning, and with nothing to do until the weekend’s Tulip Time festivities, she wanted to know if the Tyrone Township Branch would be up for a visit. No muss, no fuss, no crazy set-up required – they just needed a few parking spots where they could meet people, invite them inside, and distribute happiness and Wiener Whistles™.  

I knew it was coming, but I was still astounded by the sight of the giant hotdog shaped car when it pulled up right before 3:00 PM. And I wasn’t the only one. A girls’ soccer team convinced their coach to let them run over to the Weinermobile and back for their warm-up. One kiddo kept leading her dad outside for a ‘surprise’ (read: visiting the Weinermobile for a third, fourth, fifth time). From kids running over after school to families who had seen our post online, to those who just happened to be walking, riding, or driving by, I saw so many smiles and surprised faces. Expressions grew even bigger when anyone was asked if they wanted to step inside the famous vehicle.  

Akira and Kaitlyn, the official Oscar Mayer “Hotdoggers®” manning the Weinermobile, were enthusiastic with every greeting and interaction. Even 11 months into this 12-month position, they said the joy that they spread never gets old. They shared facts, like the Weinermobile’s dimensions in hot dogs (60 long, 24 high, and 18 wide). They asked questions. They welcomed people inside, snapped a million pictures (say ‘Cheesy Weenies!’), and handed out so many red Wiener Whistles that at times I could hear them from inside the library!  

One of the Oscar Mayer jingles says that if you were an Oscar Mayer Weiner everyone would be in love with you. After an afternoon I never would have dreamed of, I can definitely say that everyone is in love with their Weinermobile.