Friends of Harley Clarke

07/12/2026

What a weekend at the Harley Clarke Mansion east lawn and beer garden…

World Cup fun!

Beautiful summer evenings with lake views and sunsets.

Family fun.

…and it’s not done yet. Live acoustic music starting at 6 pm tonight (now!) - Sunday.

Stop by soon!

07/03/2026

Oh no! Wilmette canceled fireworks tonight?

All is not lost. Another fun option: The Harley Clarke Mansion will be showing World Cup games at the beer garden (overlooking Lighthouse Beach) tonight at 5:00 pm and 8:30 and throughout the weekend! Come on by!

06/26/2026

More exciting coverage of the Harley Clarke Mansion as the site for the YWCA Evanston/North Shore Race Against Hate awards and community party, and what is next for the Evanston community at the mansion. Once again, it is wonderful to see this partnership and the stunning lakefront space activated for the community.

"The grounds surrounding the Harley Clarke Mansion came alive with the sound of frolicking families who streamed in from the Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate, which was wrapping up Sunday morning a block away at Long Field.

Nick Jefferson, a representative of Celadon Partners, of which Harley Clarke Development is a subsidiary, said his company’s aim is to make the site “a community hub,” featuring both public and private events, such as weddings and receptions.

Jefferson said his company was happy to partner with YWCA Evanston/Northshore to sponsor the annual race. “Community is the strongest response to hate. There’s a really good alignment about what we want this place to be and what the race is all about. I think it’s a very natural connection,” he said.

He said he hopes his company can partner with other nonprofits and community groups to offer events similar to Sunday’s event, which could be a glimpse of what the future holds for Harley Clarke. One highlight of the event (for the adults at least) was a beer garden of sorts set up on the mansion’s back patio, where visitors could sample a local brew bearing the mansion’s name."



https://evanstonnow.com/harley-clarke-site-of-post-race-family-event/?content_key=3824|xSeRDXMsoEHjdkncNz0Fm6LINckZ2ZAV

Developers want to make the site a "community hub," hosting more events in the future.

06/25/2026

THANK YOU WGN TV for highlighting the Harley Clarke Mansion's post-event celebration and its vision of community in this important segment on the legacy of Ricky Byrdsong and the YWCA Evanston/North Shore Race Against Hate.

“The race is the debut event at the Harley Clarke Mansion, a historic home that was on the verge of demolition before Evanston residents voted in 2018 to keep it standing.

'I think the Connection to the Race Against Hate is really a good one because community is the strongest response to hate and that is what we are trying to start today, here, said Nick Jefferson, community strategy, The Harley Clarke Mansion Development Company.

Keeping that positive community momentum is the goal this summer and when the mansion officially opens at full capacity next fall. Along with events like weddings, the Race Against Hate is an example of the meaningful community connection developers envision at the site."

Recognized as the largest racial justice walk-run in the country, thousands of people came out to honor Ricky Byrdsong's legacy as a way to stand against hate. The 27th Annual Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate saw more than 3,000 people participate in the event, which took place at the Harle...

06/23/2026

What a day!

Were you there? Hundreds of neighbors, families, runners, volunteers, musicians, and supporters joined us at the Harley Clarke Mansion for an unforgettable Father’s Day Community Celebration following the YWCA Evanston/North Shore Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out, stayed positive through the weather, and helped make the day such a success. Special thanks to our incredible volunteers, Friends of supporters, Canal Jumpers, General Vibes, and all those who worked behind the scenes to bring the event to life.

For Friends of Harley Clarke, this was about more than a single event. It was a glimpse of what’s possible.

The energy, laughter, music, and sense of community on the lawn reminded us why so many people have worked so hard to preserve and reimagine this special place. As Harley Clarke Mansion moves closer to its restoration and reopening, we’re excited to create more opportunities for the community to gather, celebrate, learn, and connect.

Thank you for helping us kick off what we hope will become an annual tradition.

This is just the beginning.

06/22/2026

The best response to hate is community. Congratulations to all who participated and thank you to all who joined us in celebrating!

Runners gather for a group photo on the front lawn of Harley Clarke Mansion. The Harley Clarke Mansion on Sunday welcomed runners, families, neighbors and

06/17/2026

Have you heard what we already knew? C&W is one of Evanston’s FAVORITE ice cream parlors! And you can get scoops at Harley Clarke Mansion Father’s Day Community Celebration! this Sunday!

Join us & C & W Market and Ice Cream Parlor for a fun filled day!

Summer is peak season for frozen treats, be it ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt or any other extra-cold dessert-like object that helps your insides beat

06/16/2026

Can’t wait to see you all on Sunday! What a way to celebrate all that we have accomplished at Harley Clarke...and a taste of what’s to come. Please come join this free celebration!

REMINDER:
Harley Clarke Summer Kick-Off and Father’s Day Fun Community Celebration

Sunday 6/21/26 9:00am to 2:00pm

The Harley Clarke Mansion free summer celebration will transform the mansion’s lakefront lawn into community fun for kids and adults alike, featuring live music by local bands Canal Jumpers and General Vibes, a DJ, family activities, food and fun. Following the YWCA Race Against Hate (this year's awards will be presented at the Harley Clarke Mansion,) the event takes place from 9 am - 2 pm.

Bring the whole family (and your best dad jokes) for plenty of games and kids’ activities, photo booths, face painting, a scavenger hunt, and free ice cream for kid runners. Adults can enjoy complimentary coffee, while light food, new Harley Clarke signature beer selections and C&W ice cream will be available for purchase.