Dog-friendly celebration brings an American icon to town while supporting Hearts 4 Heroes USA’s Paw Platoon program
There will be plenty of dogs taking over Historic Folsom Sunday, but one of them will be 27 feet long, bright yellow and orange and rolling into town on four wheels.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile will make a stop at Historic Folsom’s Pawtoberfest on Sunday, Sept. 27, adding a big helping of nostalgia and fun to the annual free celebration at the Zittel Family Amphitheater.
Pawtoberfest runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and brings families, their four-legged companions and the community together for a day of pet vendors, products, exhibitions, giveaways and activities, all while supporting Hearts 4 Heroes USA and its Paw Platoon Placement Program.
This year, visitors will also have the chance to get an up-close look at one of the most recognizable vehicles ever to travel America’s highways.
A 90-year-old hot dog on wheels
The Wienermobile is celebrating its 90th anniversary in 2026, tracing its history to 1936, when Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, commissioned the first version in Chicago. The original was considerably smaller than today’s version, measuring about 13 feet long with an open cockpit.
The first Wienermobile was eventually scrapped for metal during World War II, but the giant hot dog returned to the road after the war and continued evolving through a series of designs over the decades.
Industrial designer Brooks Stevens created a major redesign in 1958, and by 1995 the Wienermobile had grown to the familiar 27-foot size that travels the country today. Modern versions have incorporated everything from GPS and a public-address system to a horn capable of playing the familiar Oscar Mayer jingle.
The Wienermobile even briefly lost its famous name in 2023, when Oscar Mayer rebranded the fleet as the “Frankmobile.” The change didn’t last long, and the Wienermobile name was back before the end of the year.
Folsom Times readers may remember the oversized hot dog from its visit to El Dorado Hills Town Center in 2025. The Wienermobile rolled into the Sunday farmers market, where families lined up for photos, children picked up the vehicle’s signature Wiener Whistles and plenty of adults found themselves revisiting childhood memories of spotting it on the road.
Its appearance at Pawtoberfest brings it even closer to Folsom this time — and puts one very large “dog” among plenty of smaller ones for the day.
Pawtoberfest brings the fun while supporting a bigger mission
While the Wienermobile may be the most unusual newcomer to this year’s celebration, Pawtoberfest’s purpose remains centered on Hearts 4 Heroes USA and the work it does with first responders and veterans.
The nonprofit organization focuses on mental health and wellness for those who serve in demanding public safety and military roles. Its Paw Platoon Placement Program pairs specially trained support and therapy dogs with first responders and veterans, creating partnerships intended to provide companionship and emotional support.
Folsom has been part of that mission from the beginning.
Blitz became the first dog placed through the Paw Platoon program when he joined the Folsom Fire Department in 2022. Retired Folsom Fire Assistant Chief Mark Piacentini, who helped establish the department’s Peer Support Team, became Blitz’s handler and now serves as vice president of Hearts 4 Heroes USA.
Since then, the Paw Platoon has expanded, with dogs serving alongside public safety personnel in communities throughout California and beyond.
Pawtoberfest gives the public a chance to meet some of the people and canine companions connected with that work while enjoying a casual Sunday in the heart of Historic Folsom.
Throughout the four-hour event, local pet vendors and exhibitors will fill the area around the amphitheater with products, demonstrations, interactive displays, giveaways and other activities. Canine companions in training will also be part of the day.
At noon, the attention will turn to the Pawtoberfest pet costume contest, where dogs and their humans can show off their creativity in front of the crowd.
Returning to keep the festivities moving will be Folsom Times’ Adam Frick and Taryn Grows of Uncle Charlie’s Firehouse & Brew, who will once again serve as the event’s emcees.
And somewhere among the real dogs, costumed dogs and working dogs will be that unmistakable 27-foot hot dog on wheels — making this year’s Pawtoberfest one that should be pretty difficult to miss.
Pawtoberfest takes place Sunday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Zittel Family Amphitheater, 200 Wool St. in Historic Folsom. Admission is free, and the event is family- and dog-friendly. Proceeds and support from the event benefit the Hearts 4 Heroes USA Paw Platoon Placement Program.
Keywords: Pawtoberfest, Historic Folsom, Folsom events, Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, Wienermobile, Hearts 4 Heroes USA, Paw Platoon, Paw Platoon Placement Program, Zittel Family Amphitheater, dog-friendly Folsom, pet events Folsom, Folsom dogs, pet costume contest, first responders, veterans, therapy dogs, support dogs, Blitz, Mark Piacentini, Adam Frick, Taryn Grows, Uncle Charlie’s Firehouse & Brew, Historic Folsom events
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