ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile hauled its buns to Ithaca, Thursday afternoon. A big crowd flocked around the 27-foot-long hot dog to “ketchup” with spokespeople for the company, known as “hotdoggers,” and get a look inside the famous vehicle. 

Hornell native Chloe Van Caeseele is a co-pilot in the world’s biggest hot dog. She was chosen amongst a sea of applicants to be a hotdogger for Oscar Mayer. Van Caeseele drives the American icon from coast to coast in the United States to give people a chance to peek inside her second home and learn about the company. 

“We like to say, ‘We can really haul buns,’” she said.  

Brothers Oriel and Mick Fitzpatrick have been waiting for years to get a chance to see the Wienermobile in person.  

“I used to play the Wienermobile app when I was a kid,” 15-year-old Oriel said. “I love the Wienermobile!”  

11-year-old Mick’s birthday was two days ago and to celebrate, he wanted to check out the wiener on wheels with his brother and mom. 

“Every single time there was an event or a birthday...Oriel would call the Wienermobile and ask them...or just text them to come down,” he said.  

Van Caeseele said it is rare for the Wienermobile to make a stop on the “hotdog highway” in Upstate New York. After her boss asked her what a “dream come true on the job” would be, she said she wanted to get a chance to go back to where it all began for her in the Southern Tier.  

“Having gone to school...and spending four, very important years of my life in this area...I think it’s just so special to kind of give back to the community that really helped me become...an adult person and a young professional, as well,” she said. “It’s cool to finally bring the Wienermobile back to where the journey, kind of, all started.”  

During her time as a hotdogger, Van Caeseele learned the true mission behind the Wienermobile. 

“...to spark smiles,” she said. “...and to not take yourself too seriously! It’s a 27-foot-long hot dog. We know that it’s goofy and, kind of, out of the ordinary so I think its main purpose is to spark smiles across the country.”  

If you could not make it to Ithaca, there is still time to “relish” in the sheer awe of the Wienermobile. 

The next stop will be on Jan. 26th at the BJ’s in Johnson City Grand Opening, located at 327 Reynolds Road, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

The last stop will be on Jan. 27th at the Binghamton Pond Festival, located at 153 State Park Road, Chenango Forks, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.