BC Fair 'savior' Corrigan perishes; heart attack claims rural leader

Posted at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2021

The Brillion News

LEDGEVIEW - Steve Corrigan, the president of the Brown County Fair Association, died suddenly after a heart attack on Friday, January 15.

Corrigan worked tirelessly to make the Brown County Fair happen in 2020, despite COVID=19 pandemic restrictions, by convincing public officials that the fair could be held in-person without compromising public health.

The fair was held as scheduled, with social distancing, masks in buildings, and hand-sanitizing stations everywhere - and there was no surge in COVID cases after the fair.

[<< BN file photo of Steve Corrigan]

Corrigan also insisted that the fair open up to exhibitors from all other counties, after most of them cancelled their own fairs. Youth exhibitors from nine counties showed up.

He told The Brillion News he felt strongly that young people needed an island of normality during the pandemic, for their mental health.

Under Corrigan's leadership, the fair stressed youth exhibits, rural culture, and local talent. It did not book national acts, but did offer rodeo - Corrigan's favorite sport - as an attraction.

Funeral services have not been finalized. The family is hoping that the funeral will be held on Friday, January 22, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ledgeview.

Cotter Funeral Home of De Pere-Wrightstown-Denmark is helping the family give final honors to Steve Corrigan.

A complete story on Corrigan will be featured in the January 21 print edition of THE BRILLION NEWS. It will be available at convenience stores in Greenleaf, Wrightstown, Hollandtown, Forest Junction, Hilbert, Brillion and Reedsville.