☀️ Happy Friday 2026 is finished for the season! ☀️
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the fun!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the fun!
Happy Friday is a long-standing Highlands summer tradition: an easy Friday evening outdoors with neighbors, food, drinks, and conversation.
It’s casual, welcoming, and open to everyone... new neighbors, longtime residents, families with kids, and empty nesters alike. Some people come almost every week; others stop by when they can. There’s no pressure. It’s simply a good way to unwind, catch up, and start the weekend together.
HOW IT WORKS:
Each spring, residents can opt in for the Happy Friday season and share their general summer availability. The coordinator uses that information to create a schedule, pairing a few households to host each Friday.
Everyone who signs up agrees to host or co-host once during the summer. One household provides the outdoor space and bathroom access; the hosting group works together on the invitation, RSVPs, and simple food such as pizza and non-alcoholic drinks.
Guests RSVP in advance and bring something to share, like an appetizer, salad, dessert, or adult beverages.
Keep it simple. Happy Friday isn’t meant to be a formal party. The goal is an easy neighborhood gathering, not elaborate hosting.
Because events are outdoors, plans may occasionally change because of weather or other circumstances. Check your email before heading over for any last-minute updates.
It’s casual, welcoming, and open to everyone... new neighbors, longtime residents, families with kids, and empty nesters alike. Some people come almost every week; others stop by when they can. There’s no pressure. It’s simply a good way to unwind, catch up, and start the weekend together.
HOW IT WORKS:
Each spring, residents can opt in for the Happy Friday season and share their general summer availability. The coordinator uses that information to create a schedule, pairing a few households to host each Friday.
Everyone who signs up agrees to host or co-host once during the summer. One household provides the outdoor space and bathroom access; the hosting group works together on the invitation, RSVPs, and simple food such as pizza and non-alcoholic drinks.
Guests RSVP in advance and bring something to share, like an appetizer, salad, dessert, or adult beverages.
Keep it simple. Happy Friday isn’t meant to be a formal party. The goal is an easy neighborhood gathering, not elaborate hosting.
Because events are outdoors, plans may occasionally change because of weather or other circumstances. Check your email before heading over for any last-minute updates.
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