Second annual Corey's Cruise honors Comperatore's legacy
A community came together after the death of Corey Comperatore in July 2024 to create Corey’s Cruise. The event returns Saturday for its second year.
Helen Comperatore, the widow of Corey Comperatore, previously spoke about the event. Her husband died while shielding his family after a gunman opened fire during a rally at the farm show grounds for now-President Donald Trump on July 13, 2024.
This year’s event will feature the motorcycle ride with a new route and performances by new musical artists. It takes place from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. at the Big Butler Fairgrounds, 1127 New Castle Road.
“I want them (the riders) to be able to — when they come back, if they want to — leave and go home and just break for a little bit and then come back for the festivities later at night,” Comperatore previously told the Eagle. “They can come back for the concert if they feel they want to.”
Motorcycle registration opens at 7 a.m., with breakfast served after the ride. Comperatore said this year's event will feature 50 vendors, a new car show and performances by Coffey Anderson, Gary Burke III and the Thieves.
The event's goal is to honor Comperatore's legacy as a father, husband and firefighter while supporting first responders.
“What we’re doing is helping our first responders, our people that put their life on the line every single day. If you can’t give once a year to a cause that’s giving back to those people, there would be something wrong with that community,” Comperatore said.
Comperatore said she is more excited about this year's event after initially worrying attendance would drop following last year's inaugural cruise.
“I was afraid nobody was going to come back this year. That was my biggest fear,” she said. “So, to see tickets selling, I'm really excited.”
The event will also include family-friendly attractions, including a Tiki tent for adults, a fire prevention area for children, a petting zoo and a Doberman rescue. Raffle tickets will be sold for a chance to win a custom Harley-Davidson.
