The La Crosse Blue Stars were founded in 1964 as a color guard and soon after added brass and percussion to the roster to become a competitive drum & bugle corps. One of the founding members of Drum Corps International, the corps became a powerhouse in the 1970s before running into financial difficulties in the early 80s.

The group reorganized as a small group, competing on the Drum Corps International tour as an A-60/Division II/III corps through the 80s, 90s, and 00s. During this era, the Blue Stars were 19-time finalists and the 1989, 1993, 2001, and 2003 World Champions.

In 2006 the La Crosse corps made its return to World Class competition, becoming a perennial finalist and thrilling audiences throughout the United States.