Happy Friday is a long-standing Highlands summer tradition where neighbors gather outdoors on Friday evenings to unwind, connect, and ease into the weekend together. It’s casual, welcoming, and open to everyone in the neighborhood, whether you’re new to the neighborhood or have lived here for years. Whether you're raising young kids or enjoying an empty nest.
Some people come every week, others drop in when they can. There’s no pressure, just an easy opportunity to enjoy some time outside, unwind after work, and build community.
How it works:
Each spring, Highlands residents opt in for the season by responding to the Happy Friday outreach. Participants are then asked to share their estimated summer availability. Using that input, the coordinator creates a summer schedule, grouping a few households together for each Friday based on estimated availability. Everyone who signs up agrees to host or co-host once during the summer.
Each week’s group coordinates the gathering; one household provides the outdoor space (with access to a bathroom), and the co-host typically handles/helps with the rest (sending the email invite, collecting RSVPs, and organizing simple food/pizza and non-alcoholic drinks for the group that week).
Guests RSVP in advance and bring items to share, such as an appetizer, salad, dessert, or adult beverages.
A few notes:
Happy Friday is intentionally simple. It’s not a formal event, and it’s not just for families with young children. Many neighbors come just to relax, catch up, and enjoy an easy summer evening together.
Because gatherings are held outdoors, they may be canceled or adjusted due to weather or other circumstances. Be sure to check your email for any last-minute updates before heading out.
Some people come every week, others drop in when they can. There’s no pressure, just an easy opportunity to enjoy some time outside, unwind after work, and build community.
How it works:
Each spring, Highlands residents opt in for the season by responding to the Happy Friday outreach. Participants are then asked to share their estimated summer availability. Using that input, the coordinator creates a summer schedule, grouping a few households together for each Friday based on estimated availability. Everyone who signs up agrees to host or co-host once during the summer.
Each week’s group coordinates the gathering; one household provides the outdoor space (with access to a bathroom), and the co-host typically handles/helps with the rest (sending the email invite, collecting RSVPs, and organizing simple food/pizza and non-alcoholic drinks for the group that week).
Guests RSVP in advance and bring items to share, such as an appetizer, salad, dessert, or adult beverages.
A few notes:
Happy Friday is intentionally simple. It’s not a formal event, and it’s not just for families with young children. Many neighbors come just to relax, catch up, and enjoy an easy summer evening together.
Because gatherings are held outdoors, they may be canceled or adjusted due to weather or other circumstances. Be sure to check your email for any last-minute updates before heading out.
☀️ Happy Friday 2026 is in the scheduling phase! ☀️
If you would like to join us for the 2026 season, please fill out this form.
If you have any questions, please email Cate Hartzell.
If you would like to join us for the 2026 season, please fill out this form.
If you have any questions, please email 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