More than 2,000 people attended this year’s free Spooktacular event held at the Salt River Schools Accelerated Learning Academy football field on Oct. 28. 

This year’s event theme was “Haunted Carnival.” After 15 years of Spooktacular, the Safe Schools & Security team has tried to build on each year’s success, said school security officer Tara Peshlakai. 

“It used to be a haunted bus was a big deal; one year, we did our best to create a haunted lecture hall,” said Peshlakai. 

“[Spooktacular] has gotten bigger and bigger, both in terms of what we offer and with how many people attend. We decided that 2025 would be the year Spooktacular went outside—for the first time—to the football field. We were not disappointed. We had enough space and food for everyone to really enjoy themselves.”

Peshlakai said that the team had a blast the last few years partnering with Woodenhead Collective, a group of local Indigenous horror lovers and content creators, who previously offered a walk-through haunted locker room inside the ALA gym.

“That really brought people to Spooktacular,” said Peshlakai.

At the Haunted Carnival, the never-ending trick-or-treat line began at Woodenhead Collective’s booth, which featured a special photo opportunity and gory candy to gather. Collective members helped with the costume contest.

The Safe Schools & Security team, which sponsored the event, kept the event secure beginning at the ghoulish entranceway.

“Safety is our No. 1 priority for students, staff and our campuses at Salt River Schools,” said Salt River Schools Communications and Public Relations Administrator Taté Walker. 

“The Safe Schools & Security team is our front line with this vital endeavor. The team ensures everyone is where they should be and doing what they should be.” 

Walker continued, “Spooktacular allows the security team [members] to showcase not only their creativity, but also their absolute love and joy for the youth and Community they serve. What better night to make sure young people feel safe and secure than one traditionally associated with fear? That’s what this team does with Spooktacular.”

Kids and their families dressed up in creative costumes and played carnival games provided by a variety Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community government departments and divisions. 

“Tables ran out of candy, the fire department flipped the last burgers before the night was out, and we had cars lined up along Highland Avenue parked all the way down to Center Street. The north lot along Chaparral will be open next year, that’s for sure,” said Walker. 

Walker and the Salt River Schools team are excited by the possibility of partnering with the Community to continue to make celebrations like Spooktacular bigger and better for everyone while also being good caretakers of Salt River’s resources, including staff, finances and space. 

“We’re not scared of collaboration, and we think we can fill the entire football field with things to do next Halloween,” said Walker. 

The Safe Schools & Security team hosts monthly awareness events called Soda with Security, which are free and open to the public. 

Peshlakai reminds the Community that these events are generally held the last Tuesday of every month throughout the school year and include dinner and resources about important topics for students and parents, such as vaping, gangs, bullying, new or proposed state/federal laws, sex trafficking and more. 

Learn about these events and more at www.saltriverschools.org.