Corey’s Cruise returns to celebrate the life of a local hero
PROSPECT — Corey’s Cruise returned for its second year, bigger than ever.
This year, it welcomed 48 different vendors, at least 400 bikes were anticipated to ride to Freeport High School and back in Corey Comperatore’s honor, and lively crowds danced along to fan-favorite musicians including Gary Burk III and Coffey Anderson, who even canceled a show to be at the Butler Fairgrounds.
The second annual festival honors Corey Comperatore, two years after the Buffalo Township volunteer firefighter was killed during a failed assassination attempt on now-President Donald Trump at a July 13, 2024, campaign rally at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
While Helen Comperatore, Corey’s widow, said that bad weather can be a deterrent for people attending the event, but Saturday, July 25’s clear skies and subtle breeze invited people to the fairgrounds, fulfilling almost a year’s worth of planning dedicated to her husband’s memory.
At it’s core, Corey’s Cruise looks to continue Corey’s legacy, Corey’s Cruise president Kip Johnson said.
The Corey’s Cruise is entirely volunteer-run, with 170 people staffing the daylong event. Helen also said the tents, chairs and inflatables were free courtesy of Justin Fresh and his company, Fresh Event Rentals. Both testify to the ways that local community members have shown up for the Comperatore family.
Corey’s Cruise fundraises for first responders, police officers, firefighters, animal rescuers and other organizations that align deeply with the person who Corey was.
This year, Peggy Braden and her Cabot-based business, Barefoot Creations, was one of 48 different vendors, tabling at the second annual Corey’s Cruise. The Cruise generates interest and engagement for local businesses, which is what drew vendors like Valor and Wicks candles and Renewal by Anderson.
The festival resonated with somber strength.
Volunteer Tracey Baker, who was at the ill-fated rally two years ago and has now returned to Corey’s Cruise twice, even got emotional when she saw the line of motorcycles riding in Corey’s honor.
Gary Burk III, who is now engaged to Helen and Corey’s daughter, Kaylee, performed his song, “When We Meet Again,” which is a tribute to Corey.
“It’s amazing how many people showed out today,” Johnson said.
An event like this “turns tragedy into triumph,” Ron Balla, a member of AKV Back the Blue said.
Helen did not want the event to be political, instead she strived for unity.
She said she was frustrated with the way that politics seemed to prevent local politicians from reaching out to her or from hosting events that remembered her husband’s death.
Pete Walowen, of Petrolia, said that during the failed assassination attempt, he saw people throughout the crowd spring into action and shield others with their bodies, just like Corey.
“This community is very selfless,” Walowen said.
With one life-altering act, Corey made the ultimate sacrifice for his family. Helen said that if it was anyone else’s family, she would expect them to do the same.
“I just make sure that everybody knows that that’s what (Corey’s Cruise) is about,” Helen said. “It’s about a man who saved his family. He did a courageous thing.”
If someone else was the one killed, Corey would have been riding his motorcycle every single time, Helen said.
