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Ponce Society chair Amanda Bonifay and Mirs Meyeringh. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Zombie gives Annette Peikert a little scare. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Zombies from Beauty Schools of America. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Carelia Montero, Maria Daza, Paula Mogollon, Camille Armada. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Carolina Betancourt and Sofia Rocca. Photo by Betty Alvarez

David Rothenstein and Xiaoxiao Zhang. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Spooky guest hangs out at the park. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Haunted Jaunt comes to Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park. Photo by Betty Alvarez

James Echols tries to fend off a hungry zombie. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Jessica Ballon and Rodney Rabah. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Jezebel Dominguez and Ani Pazos. Photo by Betty Alvarez

John Allen and Darla Thompson, chair of the Coral Gables Chamber. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Kate and Joe Laconti. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Kristen Marciel and Amy Bentancourt. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Leigh Kerdyk, Vice Mayor Bill Kerdyk, Yvette Ayala, William Colas and Jonn Allen. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Mark Trowbridge, president & CEO of the Coral Gables Chamber, and Andria Hanley, executive director, Coral Gables Community Foundation. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Patricia Wright and Jacob Roffman. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Roxana Ruiz and Paola Garcia. Photo by Betty Alvarez

William Colas, Yvette Ayala and Jacob Roffman. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Yamaris Diaz, Johanna Vallamizar, Stephanie Mammana and Ailyn Moreno. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Living dead populate the park at Haunted Jaunt. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Haunted Jaunt is a scream. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Zombies lurk at Haunted Jaunt. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Jason Neal, Coral Gables Community Foundation board member, gets an extra hand. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Coral Gables Community Foundation board member John Allen and Andria Hanley, foundation executive director. Photo by Betty Alvarez

Halloween fun began early this year at Coral Gables’ first “Haunted Jaunt,” a street party presented by the Ponce Society of Young Professionals to benefit the Coral Gables Community Foundation.

“We are a proud supporter of the Coral Gables Community Foundation and we love what the Ponce Society does,” said Gables resident Jennylee Molina, who showcased her PR agency, JLPR, at the event and helped to organize the festivities. “This was a one-of-a-kind opportunity and we’re very happy to work with everyone.”

Taking place Wednesday night, Oct. 24, at Fred B. Hartnett Ponce Circle Park, 2901 Ponce de Leon Blvd., and adjacent streets, the “Haunted Jaunt” treated guests to a ghostly, yet convivial street-fair experience.

The event’s Halloween décor included everything from eerie tombstones to a spine-chilling, strobe-lit haunted house. Blood-soaked “zombies” paraded the grounds, playfully scaring guests as they socialized and enjoyed drinks under tents. The spooky ambiance was offset by the musical expertise of Miami’s own DJ Maneuvers, whose mash-ups kept guests moving to the beat.

“Everyone’s having a good time and the zombies look amazing,” said volunteer Erin Briede. “It’s wonderful!”

The $20 admission got guests a certificate booklet, drink ticket and two raffle tickets. Raffle prizes included courtside tickets to a Miami Heat game (courtesy of MasTec Engineering) and a one-week stay at an Interval International resort of the winner’s choice worth $1,000.

Although rain and wind from Hurricane Sandy’s outer bands prevented vintage horror movies from being shown on the park lawn as planned, the weather didn’t put a damper on the “spooktacular” event.

“I think the weather was against us but all in all, it was a great turnout,” said Cristina Mas, president of the Coral Gables Museum’s Young Associates group. “It’s important that young professional groups keep working together to better and really improve ‘the city beautiful.’ ”

Event sponsors included Agave Holdings LLC, Cerveza Dos Equis, Miami New Times, The Stage, Casa de los Trucos Costumes, Proximo, Three Olives Vodka, Maestro Dobel Diamond Tequila, The Kraken, KabooKaboo Marketing, Beauty Schools of America, Magna-Tech Electronic Co. Inc., Clear Channel Outdoor, Goldstein Schechter Koch, MasTec Engineering, Zubi Advertising, Waste Management, Young Associates and JLPR.

Photos by Betty Alvarez / Events Photographer