But that didn’t stop some diehard Doodle Bug fans from traveling to Webster City this week.

Wednesday afternoon, about 20 Doodle Bug owners set up campers and tents at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds for an unofficial gathering. Scooter enthusiasts pulled into the fairgrounds from Nebraska, Minnesota and even California. A few more riders are expected to arrive Thursday and Friday.

“Remember, this is unofficial, it’s a non-event,” said Webster City club member Jerry Wells. “But Matt Smith worked with Gerald Huisman to make this happen.”

Smith, of Fremont, Nebraska, said he was disappointed about the cancellation, but it didn’t take long for an alternate plan to develop. He said he thought it was important for the group to get together this week.

— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne Blankenship Matt Smith of Fremont, Nebraska, left. helped to spearhead the unofficial gathering of Doodle Bug enthusiasts in Webster City this week. Even though the annual Doodle Bug Reunion was canceled due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic, a group of more than 20 opted to hold a socially-distanced, outside event.

“I think everybody’s been cooped up too long and I figured we could social distance and do it outside. Everybody seemed to jump on board when I mentioned it,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of people who look forward to this every year.”

Huisman said a flyer was sent out announcing the “outlaw” event.

“The flyer explained that if people wanted to come, there would be people here,” Huisman said.

“I’ve never seen attendance like this on a Wednesday even when they have the regular reunions,” he said. “It’s humbling.”

Unlike the traditional reunion, this week’s gathering will be held outside and there will be no banquet. But like in previous years, there will be plenty of opportunities for riders to hit the trail. Huisman said the riders were given permission to travel the streets of Webster City as long as they were in groups of at least four. They’ll also take to the Boone River Recreational Trail for a ride to Briggs Woods Park.

— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne Blankenship Doodle Bug enthusiasts from across the country descended upon Webster City Wednesday afternoon for an unofficial gathering at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds. The Doodle Bug Club of America cancelled its 2020 reunion, but many of the members didn’t want to miss their annual visit to Webster City.

“We’re hoping to do two or three of those rides,” Huisman said. “The city manager gave us the option to do the ride out to the airport. We just need to give him a call and they’ll even give us a police escort.”

Smith said he started attending the Doodle Bug Reunions as a boy with his father. This year, he’s brought his daughter, Mayann, 13, and son, Mason, 11. His sister and brother-in-law also drove in for the gathering. Smith said brought along five of his 12 scooters for the event.

“Dad missed the first reunion, but came to the second one. I came to the third one and have been attending ever since,” Smith said.

The fellowship with other Doodle Bug owners is what keeps bringing him back to Webster City every year.

“We’ve made some great friends,” he said. “And the riding helps, too.”

— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Anne Blankenship Bryan Rosen of California pushes his Doodle Bug scooter into line for a group photo Wednesday afternoon. Rosen, his son, Kevin and granddaughter, Regan, drove cross country to attend an unofficial gathering of the Doodle Bug enthusiasts.

Three generations of the Rosen family drove cross country from California to attend the event. Kevin Rosen said he wouldn’t have missed it and loves the community.

“We look forward to this every year,” Rosen said. This year he brought his daughter, Regan, 15 and his dad, Bryan.

Rosen said he tells people all about the annual reunion and Webster City when he goes to shows around the country.

“I know if people come, they’ll be back every year,” he said.

Rosen and Smith both said they appreciated how the community of Webster City rolls out the welcome mat each year for the scooter enthusiasts.

“The city here is awesome for letting us come out and ride on their streets and the trails,” Smith said. “I don’t think there’s any place like it in the world.”