Happy Friday is a beloved summer tradition in the Highlands, where neighborhood families gather outdoors after work on Fridays to relax, catch up, and kick off the weekend together. It’s a casual, fun, and easy way to connect with neighbors of all ages - whether you’re brand new to the Highlands or have lived here for years.
How does it work?
In April, families who want to participate opt in to the summer season by responding to the flyers or emails sent by the Happy Friday Coordinators. In early May, the HF Coordinators will ask participants to share their available summer dates. Using that info, the Coordinators create a schedule for the entire season, assigning teams of three to four families to each Friday.
Each week, the scheduled team works together to organize that week’s Happy Friday gathering. One family provides the outdoor space and access to a bathroom, and together the team handles everything else—sending the invitation, collecting RSVPs, and splitting the cost of pizza, kid-friendly drinks, and ice for the group.
All guests RSVP in advance and bring something to share - like an appetizer, salad, dessert, or a bottle of wine or other adult beverage.
Happy Friday is open to all Highlands residents who are willing to be part of a team once during the season. That way, everyone who enjoys these community events also helps make one happen.
Since Happy Friday is held outdoors only, events are occasionally canceled due to summer storms or relocated for personal reasons. Be sure to check your email for any last-minute updates before heading out.
How does it work?
In April, families who want to participate opt in to the summer season by responding to the flyers or emails sent by the Happy Friday Coordinators. In early May, the HF Coordinators will ask participants to share their available summer dates. Using that info, the Coordinators create a schedule for the entire season, assigning teams of three to four families to each Friday.
Each week, the scheduled team works together to organize that week’s Happy Friday gathering. One family provides the outdoor space and access to a bathroom, and together the team handles everything else—sending the invitation, collecting RSVPs, and splitting the cost of pizza, kid-friendly drinks, and ice for the group.
All guests RSVP in advance and bring something to share - like an appetizer, salad, dessert, or a bottle of wine or other adult beverage.
Happy Friday is open to all Highlands residents who are willing to be part of a team once during the season. That way, everyone who enjoys these community events also helps make one happen.
Since Happy Friday is held outdoors only, events are occasionally canceled due to summer storms or relocated for personal reasons. Be sure to check your email for any last-minute updates before heading out.
☀️ Happy Friday 2025 kicks off soon ☀️
If you would like to join us for this season, please email our Happy Friday coordinators, Emily Bakosi and Cate Hartzell.
If you would like to join us for this season, please email our Happy Friday coordinators, Emily Bakosi and Cate Hartzell.
A History of Happy Friday
Happy Friday has been operating continuously in the Highlands since 2005 (with a break in the summer of 2020 due to Covid). The following history of Happy Friday was provided for us by Ann Caruso on October 9, 2022.
Dear Highlands Neighbors,
Thank you for keeping our Happy Friday Neighborhood Gatherings going! In 2005, when I was contemplating whether or not to try to establish some way for all of us to get together on a regular basis, I had no idea whether or not this would take off, let alone continue for what is now 17+ years. So thank you!
Chatham is a wonderful town and we live in a beautiful neighborhood. “Happy Friday” was designed to create a community feeling within our neighborhood by providing a way to get to know our neighbors and their children of ALL ages. It is open to everyone, and to be able to participate, all you have to do is take a turn and host!
I did not come up with this idea on my own. I am so grateful I was invited to attend a “Happy Hour” in another neighborhood (that one was held year-round). It was so much fun! Still, I thought it would be much, much easier on the host if these events were outside only. So I came up with a list of “guidelines” for a type of gathering that hopefully would be as easy as possible and turn-key. Believe it or not, the current guidelines and annual invitation letter are almost the same as the original, with some improvements of course!
The first Happy Friday was held on April 29th, 2005 at 6 Seminole Way - the Caruso/Goldschmidt home. We had 26 families as original members and about 75 people came that day. Happy Friday was originally set from 4-6PM, April to October, and primarily with kids/moms and some caregivers. None ever ended at 6PM as people would come by after getting off the train, so the time was extended so more people could participate. By 2006 we had 36 families, and the following year co-hosting began. It has always been as simple or elaborate as the host has wanted.
How wonderful it has been to know you have a place to go on a Friday and not have to make a plan! Over the years as our children Daniel and Nicole grew up, they became helpers with crafts, tattoos, and even grilling hot dogs. Eventually they stopped attending, but that did not stop Gary and me!
As a working mom I can’t tell you how much it means to me to stay connected and how much it means to my husband Gary to have this social network as well. We love seeing everyone and encourage you all to keep attending with or without children. How wonderful it has been to be able to share our stories, ideas, advice and create lasting memories with our neighbors!
This is a place where everyone is welcome and everyone belongs. Thank you again for keeping this going, and may all your days be happy!
Cheers,
Ann Caruso/Goldschmidt