Published: Friday, Jul. 06, 2012 / Updated: Monday, Jul. 09, 2012 03:06 PM
Wienermobile turns heads in Wylie
LAKE WYLIE --
Despite the roasting heat of 100-degree temperatures, passersby couldn’t pass up stopping to get their photos next to the world-famous Wienermobile vehicle last week when it was parked at Bi-Lo on Highway 274.
“I would love to take that thing for a ride,” said David Koeck, who stopped to get a photo beside the 27-foot-long hot dog vehicle with his wife, Wendy, and 4-year-old son Alex, plus one by himself. “Let’s go for a ride. This is awesome.”
While the Big Bird yellow Oscar Mayer machine with its “Big Bun” license plate remained parked, Eliot “Deli Eliot” Pattee and Anggela “Anggie Dogg” Pimentel handed out postcards, coupons, whistles and more.
“It’s actually very smooth,” Pattee said of driving the huge hot dog machine that includes a Chevy chassis. “People wave and take pictures, and so many people get so excited to see it. It’s a blast.”
Pattee of Wisconsin graduated in May from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in business financing. He, along with Pimentel, who graduated from Florida International University, attended Hot Dog High training for two weeks before embarking on their careers as hotdoggers traveling the Southeast to fairs, festivals and stops like Thursday’s in Lake Wylie.
“I decided to take a little different path and go on this adventure and see the country,” he said. “I really relish my job.”
And yes, he said, they love the hot dog puns, like “I got shot bun,” “ketchup with you soon,” and “have a bunderful day.”
Due to the day’s heat, the Wienermobile was closed for inside viewing.
“It’s like being in a grill, it’s so hot without running the air condition, “ Pattee said.
But the dog does come with all the amenities of motor vehicles, including a “bun roof.” Mustard drizzle on the floor leads to bright yellow seating and red interior. As Pattee pointed out, “skies are always blue in the Wienermobile,” noting the ceiling print of blue sky and white clouds.
Pattee said they stay in hotels along their yearlong trip with the Kraft Co., because, no, the Wienermobile “isn’t a wienybago.”
The Wienermobile also stopped in Fort Mill and Rock Hill on Friday, and the duo doggers now head to West Virginia, then Kentucky and Tennessee, before coming back to Columbia.
“We’ll be back, so watch out for us,” Pattee said.
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