Blue Raiders

The Blue Raiders drum and bugle corps was originally formed as the Newark American Legion (AL) Post 85 in 1946.

In their inaugural season, the corps performed locally, participating at their first AL state convention the following year, where they placed first in the 1947 parade competition. Over the next 12 years, the Newark Post remained active as a parade corps that included another 5 appearances at the Legion convention between 1948 to 1959.

In 1960, the corps was renamed the Crusaders under the direction of S.W. Huffman as they continued as a parade corps. The next year saw another name change to the Blue Raiders, to help celebrate the nation’s Civil War Centennial. This was the name of the first company of men to leave for the war in 1861. They operated as a parade corps until 1962, when, for the first and only year, the corps entered the field of competition, finishing in 2^nd place at the Ohio state convention championships. The Raiders returned to parade status for the new few seasons.

They were under the sponsorship of the Newark Post 85 throughout its history before disbanding in 1966.

Paul Legault (DCX)

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