NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – In case you hadn’t already seen the 27 foot long hotdog on wheels roaming the streets of Marquette County, the Wienermobile has made its triumphant return to the U.P. for the first time since 2019. Staging the trip’s first pop up event on Thursday afternoon at the Negaunee Super One.
At any given time, there are only six active Wienermobiles in the country. Each are piloted by two very special individuals called Hotdoggers. ‘Hot Diggity Hunter’ and ‘Cook ‘Em Cam’ have a very simple goal every day:
“Spreading smiles, it’s as simple as that,” said Camila Fowler, also known as ‘Cook ‘Em Cam.’
“Honestly, the biggest part of it is just spreading joy,” said Hunter Gonzales, or ‘Hot Diggity Hunter.’ “It’s so much fun working with people and seeing how much energy and excitement people have when they see the Wienermobile, and being able to be a steward of that is just so much fun.”
Wienermobiles have been traveling around the country for 89 years. As a familiar sight across so many generations, the crowds that gather for their souvenirs and pictures come in all ages, even from out of state.
“My wife and I came from Aroura, Wisconsin, about 70 miles away” said Raphael Ambrosia. “This is very nice to see it now when I’m 72, after seeing it when I was 45.”
Into the weekend, the Wienermobile will make stops at Marquette Mountain’s cheese-roll this Saturday, and the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum on Sunday. Both Hotdoggers are excited to visit the area, during the perfect time of year.
“We were requested for different events, but it had been a while and we just had to do it,” said Cook ‘Em Cam.
“Being up here has been amazing, getting to see the fall colors, we even got some shots of the Wienermobile in front of Lake Superior,” said Hot Diggity Hunter.
To track the Wienermobile at its upcoming locations, visit here.
