It’s a “bun-durful” life
MCHENRY COUNTY – Ever wonder what life is like for those lucky few who get the opportunity to drive cross-country inside of the infamous Oscar Mayer Wienermobile? Hotdogger Katie Ferguson, otherwise known as Ketchup Katie, describes her experience as “franktastic” as she gives the inside scoop on what it takes to represent the Oscar Mayer brand.
Oscar Mayer is currently recruiting its next class of brand ambassadors that will be responsible for interacting with the media, attending charity functions, as well as stopping for special celebrations across the country. The job will take place between June 2021 through June 2022. Though the deadline for applications is Jan 31.
“So, every year Oscar Mayer hires 12 recent college grads. The only prerequisites for the job are that you have a [Bachelor’s] Degree, you have a driver’s license, and you have an appetite for fun and so, they came to my campus, I went to the University of Missouri, and they recruit there every year and I went to an info session and I fell in love with the job,” Ferguson said, describing her journey.
Ferguson assures interested candidates can also apply by sending their resume and cover letter via email to [email protected].
Hopeful applicants face a tough selection process however, as Oscar Mayer spokespeople have often stated that fewer people serve as Hotdoggers than have been to outer space.
“I definitely was very proud to ‘cut the mustard.’ I think we get like four to seven thousand applicants a year and they hire 12. My experience has been just unforgettable. Truly, it’s been the adventure of a lifetime. I’ve gone to I think, I don’t even know, I want to say 15 different states by this point and I’ve met incredible people and got to do things I would have never been able to do before,” Ferguson said.
Ferguson who grew up in Woodstock, recently made a stop at the Woodstock Square with fellow Hotdogger Zach Chatham or Zach n Cheese as he is also known as. Because of the cold weather, Ferguson explained that any other Wienermobile appearances in the Chicago suburbs, were likely to be for smaller, private events.
Local residents who visited the Woodstock Square were treated to small prizes including Wienermobile stickers, and let’s not forget about the famous Wiener whistles.
The pandemic may have caused Wienermobiles across the U.S. to be taken off the road back in March, but as of July, Hotdoggers have been able to continue on their journey to spread smiles all throughout America.
“You know, we always wear masks and have hand sanitizer. All of our events are outside and socially distanced. So, we found a way to do it for sure and we’ve been able to do it successfully and safely on the road and we’ve had no issues. We think now, Americans kind of need a smile now more than ever, and that’s our mission,” Ferguson explained.
As for her most memorable experience, Ferguson stated, “It’s so hard to pick. I’d say taking the Wienermobile to seven national parks. We have a region and a partner assigned to us. So, we have one region, one partner, and one Wienermobile the first half of the year, and then we switch the second half. With my first partner, we got to go to seven different parks and driving the Wienermobile through the largest national parks and having people stop you for photos while they’re in this beautiful, natural space, is just kind of surreal.”
As a final sendoff, Ferguson simply said, “We love meeting new people and it’s not every day you get to see a 27-foot-long hotdog on wheels.”
Individuals interested in the chance to “ketchup” with Ferguson’s and Chatham’s Wienermobile adventures, can follow them at their Instagram accounts: @ ketchinupwithkatie and @zackncheesin. For more information on the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, residents can also check out oscarmayer.com.
