A costume contest added to the fun at Holbrook’s Haunted House at the Navajo County Historic Courthouse on Halloween. Thomas Beach, dressed as Papa Smurf (right), won first place and the $20 prize. David Potts, as the Grinch, earned second and Annabeth Potts, as Coraline, took third.
A costume contest added to the fun at Holbrook’s Haunted House at the Navajo County Historic Courthouse on Halloween. Thomas Beach, dressed as Papa Smurf (right), won first place and the $20 prize. David Potts, as the Grinch, earned second and Annabeth Potts, as Coraline, took third. Photo by Shawn White
What’s more terrifying than a clown on Halloween? A clown with an ice cream truck. These clowns surely made visitors fill the chill at the Hayden Walton Sports Complex in Winslow.
Ghosts, ghouls and serial killers and many more stood in the long line at Hayden Walton Sports Complex for Winslow’s Halloween Parade in the Park.
According to organizers, more over 1,000 people — and who knows how many ghosts — filled the Hayden Walton Sports Complex for Winslow’s Halloween Parade in the Park. Fortunately, Oliver and his father Robert Rockwell came prepared, strapping on proton packs and taking their Ghostbusters duties seriously as they joined the festive crowd.
Visitors waited inside a holding cage before entering the Holbrook Haunted House at the historic courthouse, which drew more than 200 people, far exceeding expectations.

Holbrook and Winslow residents came out in full force for Halloween celebrations that filled both towns with laughter, costumes and many good scares.

On Thursday the historic courthouse in Holbrook was turned into a haunted house. Volunteers with the Navajo County Historical Society transformed the more than a century-old courthouse into a maze of cobwebs, flickering lights and jump scares that echoed through the halls. The haunted house brought more than 200 people– more than anticipated and some people were turned away. One of the event organizers from the historical society, Becki Colon, said that now they know there’s a significant interest from the public, they’ll make sure next year can accommodate a bigger crowd. The haunted house was $5 to enter and proceeds will be put towards a scholarship for Holbrook High School students.

The night ended with a community-favorite costume contest featuring both kids and adults. Thomas Beach, dressed head-to-toe as Papa Smurf, took first place and a $20 prize. David Potts, who appeared as the Grinch, claimed second, while Annabeth Potts, dressed as Coraline, finished third.

Winslow had its own festivities at the Hayden Walton Sports Complex, the annual Halloween Parade in the Park drew over 1,700 people according to an event organizer, with families decked out in costumes ranging from the classic to the creative. The open field was filled with decorations and booths from several businesses, organizations and individuals handing out candy as the parade wound its way through costumed superheroes, princesses, skeletons and plenty of pint-sized monsters.

Winslow took on a different kind of shine as the Slowtown Car Club hosted it’s Trunk or Treat at the First Street Gazebo. Iconic cars lined the street, their trunks stuffed with candy and decorations, giving kids a safe and memorable way to collect treats while admiring the chrome and custom paint.

Joseph City also hosted its annual carnival at the high school, with kids and adults getting in on the fun. Several trunk or treat events were held around the communities, including at the county fairgrounds and Navajo County Sheriff’s Office in Holbrook, and Mr. G’s Pizza Shop in Joseph City.

As the final pieces of candy were handed out and the last fog machines powered down, the towns showed that Halloween spirit is alive and well in the high desert.