Family of Corey Comperatore hosting motorcycle ride, concert in remembrance
To mark the one year anniversary of Corey Comperatore’s death, his family has planned a day of activities and music in remembrance.
The first Corey’s Cruise will take place Saturday, July 12. The day will start with a memorial motorcycle ride in the morning, followed by numerous musical acts in the afternoon and evening.
Corey Comperatore, a Buffalo Township firefighter, was shot and killed at a rally for then-candidate President Donald Trump at the Butler Farm Show grounds on July 13, 2024. He died shielding his wife, Helen, and two daughters, Allyson and Kaylee, from oncoming gunfire.
After his death, his family said they knew they wanted to do something in his honor, which became the first step in creating the event.
“I just want to celebrate him, because the last time we were in a place with all those people, it was such a horrible moment. I would love to just pack it and celebrate him,” Helen Comperatore said.
Corey’s Cruise will take place at the No Offseason Sports complex grounds, 904 Little Deer Creek Valley Road, Russellton.
For motorcycle riders and passengers, registration begins at 9 a.m., a blessing of the bikes will take place at 10:45 a.m. and the ride will start at 11 a.m.
After the ride, musical acts will perform throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Starting at 1 p.m., DJ Bill Naser will take the stage, followed by Krissy Jo, Ricky Lake Jr., The Noble Hopes Band and The Jentz.
Gary Burk III, a Butler County country artist who wrote “Until We Meet Again,” a song in memory of Corey Comperatore, is headlining the event and will perform at 7:30 p.m. The day’s festivities are expected to close around 10 p.m.
Helen Comperatore said she hopes to use the event as an opportunity to meet and personally thank people who have shown her family support over the past year.
“I’m hoping people that had messaged us or anything come out,” she said. “I’m planning on walking all over the place and meeting everybody. I want to go around and thank everybody for coming.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Corey Comperatore Foundation, a nonprofit in his honor. The foundation donates to different organizations and movements that Corey Comperatore supported during his life.
“The proceeds are being given to local first responders and churches,” Allyson Comperatore said. “The first responders that were there that day, at the rally, did an amazing job, and first responders really don’t get enough credit for what they do.
“A lot of local volunteer first responders don’t get a lot of funding, and a lot of them do without.”
The Comperatores said they hope the event grows larger each year, as the foundation would be able to give more support to first responders in the area.
They also said they want attendees to know that Corey’s Cruise is meant to be an apolitical event, solely serving to honor their late husband and father.
“This is not a political rally,” Kaylee Comperatore said. “This is just a day of remembrance for a good person.”
“I don’t care what your political stance is,” Helen Comperatore added. “I want you to come out and enjoy the music, enjoy the food and celebrate him. If you knew him, if you just want to honor his memory, please come out and enjoy it.”
Tickets for the event are available on coreyscruise.com. General admission and motorcyclist tickets are $30, while motorcycle passengers are $20. Registration and fees for motorcyclists and passengers received on event day will cost $5 more.
“My dad didn’t think he had a friend in the world,” Kaylee Comperatore said. “He thought it was just the three of us, and that was it. I just want people to come so we can show him that there’s so many people who care about him and love him.
“I just want to prove him wrong.”
