The Blue Stars and Blue Star Cadets biggest fundraising event is coming up at the La Crosse Oktoberfest Brat Stand. This year we need volunteers to prepare and staff the brat stand from Wednesday, September 22 through Sunday, October 3. This is a very important event for the Blue Stars and Blue Star Cadets, and we rely on the dozens of volunteers that work every year to make this event happen. Please sign up to work in our discussion forums or by clicking on 'more' on the right.

It's that time again and the Blue Stars Alumni & All-Star Corps will be a featured marching unit in the Maple Leaf Parade, on September 25, 2010 in La Crosse, WI. We want YOU to be part of the fun. Last year we had almost 100 people march with the group with the majority of them being current and past Blue Stars members.

The Blue Stars have a large selection of performance equipment for sale, including the current King Ultimate Marching Brass hornline, Adams timpani, show flags, and other miscellaneous items. This equipment is priced to move so act quickly. Quantities of some brass instruments are fairly low already.

Check out the equipment for sale page for more information, or download the equipment for sale flyer.

The Blue Stars need your support! Contribute now to the organization's 2010 Annual Campaign. Donate now to receive Blue Stars' souvenirs including River City Rhapsody and DCI World Championship tickets, while providing important financial support for the Blue Stars 2010 tour.

The Blue Stars are a non-profit corporation and depend on contributions to fund our continuing operations. We are extremely appreciative of the generous financial support provided by our alumni, parents, fans, and the general public. Join the growing list of Blue Stars supporters!

The Blue Stars would like to congratulate the following members for their achievements at the 2010 Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble competition.

Gold Medal
Auxiliary Ensemble: Tracey Nettler and Kekoa Mateo
Brass Ensemble: Zack Crissman, Michael Chiapetto, Zach Ashcraft, Chris Rockwell, Chris Rush, Anthony Leonhardt, Kevin Guth, Paul Gentine, Briana Engelbert, Mike Villano

Silver Medal
Zach Ashcraft - Trumpet

Congratulations to these and all the Blue Stars who competed in the I&E competition!

Want to keep up with the Blue Stars this summer? La Crosse Tribune reporter Terry Rindfleisch follows the Blue Stars all the way to Indianapolis with updates in the newspaper and online at LaCrosseTribune.com.

Blue Stars Alumnus Billy Silva (tenors: 04, 05, 06, 09) hasn't been sitting around since marching off the field finals night last August. Billy has been traveling the world helping others in some of the most disadvantaged areas on earth. Recently, he spent time rebuilding Haiti after the devastating earthquake destroyed the country's capital Port-au-Prince. Follow the jump to see video highlighting Billy's work in Haiti.

Andy Toppin, 21, was critically wounded while serving his country in Iraq. He received life-threatening injuries when an EFP (Explosively Formed Penetrator) struck his vehicle during a Military Police mission. Andy was quickly transported to the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, and is being treated for severe burns to his arms and face. His legs suffered significant damage that required partial amputation to the right one.

The Blue Stars and Blue Stars Alumni Association has established the Andy and Ashley Toppin Recovery Fund to help Andy, Ashley and their unborn baby in this time of need. If you would like to make a donation to help this young family, please send a check as follows:

The Blue Stars Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to present its 2010 production, "Houdini."

Harry Houdini was a masterful performer on a most unconventional world stage. Omnipresent, he transcended the individual venues of his time. Houdini compelled audiences to enter his performances, and as he broke through one barrier after another he liberated their imaginations with his own. He knew he could make an audience think and feel as he chose. Houdini knew the power of his art and he knew its danger.

Join the 2010 Blue Stars on a journey through the sights and sounds, the mystery and danger, the life of "Houdini."

2010 Auditions

Auditions for the Blue Stars' 2010 season will be at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, IN from November 20-22, 2009. Audition registration is now open. For more information, visit http://www.bluestars.org/audition/signup.php.