The second annual Halloween Skate Competition at Riverfront Park in Cottonwood on Saturday, Oct. 29, was big enough to hold several skateboard enthusiasts who had come from different parts of Arizona.
Wearing a clown suit and carrying a megaphone, event coordinator Helena Elder-Hamilton was thrilled to see everyone out for this second annual event.
Several other skateboarders dressed in costumes and face paint looking to win top prize for best dressed. Even the older kids had the Halloween spirit in them before competing.
Elder-Hamilton, owner of a local skateboard retailer in Cottonwood, constantly barked directions to the young skate hopefuls, but seemed to enjoy the competition just as much as the kids.
Jacob Phelps, an 18-year-old Camp Verde High School student, was on hand in the ages 16 to 18 division and was happy with his performance Saturday.
“I’ve been skating for nine years now and I’ve been to eight competitions like this. I think I did pretty good,” Phelps said.
When asked what his favorite skateboard trick is, Phelps took a minute to think but eventually had a great answer.
“You know what, any trick I can pull off is a good one,” Phelps said with a smile.
Elder-Hamilton set up the competition to help raise money for St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and Xtreme Union, a nonprofit organization dedicated to building extreme sports complexes like the one at Riverfront Park.
Morgan Julian, a 17-year-old Cottonwood resident, was glad to be on hand for the competition since it was the first one he’s ever done.
“I started skating about six years ago, but this is my first-ever competition. So far, I haven’t done as good as I can today, but hopefully, I’ll get better,” Julian said.
Julian isn’t looking to go to the next level with his skateboarding, but prefers to do it over most other things.
“It’s really more of just a hobby for me,” Julian said.
