The Return of the Flying Sasser

Sasser 'n Sass-tronauts!

by Kevin Kidney 

The Anaheim Hallowe'en Parade's theme in 1953 was "Out of This World" and featured, among many things, a witch riding a missile instead of a broom, a platoon of pretty young Martians wearing kitchen colanders on their heads, and, most memorable of all, a "Flying Sasser" built by neighborhood kids.

Anaheim's Sasser-heritage.  We owe it all to these kids.

Thanks to the one-and-only known photograph taken of it, the "Sasser" managed to survive obscurity over the passing years. Four boys, wielding toy space pistols, pose in front of homes on a suburban street (presumably Broadway or Center Street). A TV antenna, borrowed temporarily from a rooftop, supplies a hint of a high-tech to the otherwise homemade-looking spacecraft. The scene is so charmingly Americana, it's no wonder the photo has been published in several books on Anaheim history. Even our local Ruby's Diner has a framed print on the wall over one of the tables.

This year, on October 27, 2012, the Flying Sasser returned to the Anaheim Halloween Parade, 59 years after it first appeared, thanks to some creative people in the AHS. Anaheim resident and AHS member Bill Couture recreated the Sasser from scratch, and we think his might be even better than the original.

Bill is one of the most generous and creative guys we know, volunteering his time and many talents to all of our events and endeavors, no matter how crazy. And, incidentally, he also made his kooky space suit, complete with glow sticks that he gave to kids in the audience. Bill, you are our hero.

Rocket Scientist, Bill Couture

The Sasser, piloted by two familiar neighborhood space cadets, Adela and Olivia Jauregui, was accompanied by a platoon of friendly Martians, and followed by our traditional “Autocade of Antique Cars”. The 2012 procession of classic automobiles was enhanced with several AHS members pedaling old-fashioned bicycles, or “penny-farthings.”

From out of Anaheim's Hallowe'en past, a cardboard-box robot returns!

Jeremy, Natalie, Kevin, and Sophie the SpaceDog, sport tin foil accessories.

Greg, Jason, and Jessica on on their penny-farthing bikes.

Plans for new surprises are already being made for next year’s Halloween Parade, and we hope you’ll volunteer to perform along with us in this favorite Anaheim community tradition!!

Related story:
How To Build A Flying Sasser