On October 17, the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce hosted its 22nd annual Street Faire. The event took place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. along Chatsworth Street, spanning from Zelzah Avenue to Encino Avenue, with over 250 vendors in attendance.
There was also a Farmer’s Market with 60 vendors, a beer garden hosted by the Granada Hills Rotary Club, a car show, a kids’ corner with games, the Citizen of the Year presentation, and live performances on the stage. The Street Faire was free of charge and open to the public, but certain activities like the beer garden were pay-to-enter.
“We have great food, great crafts, civic organizations, and a bit of everything, which is something I like,” current executive director of the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce Joshua Durzi said. “Quite a few volunteers come to help, which makes it feel like a community project. We also host free booths for civic and government organizations that can’t pay for it themselves. We’re giving back to the community.”
The volunteers that Durzi mentioned are prominent members of the community, and had a chance to be recognized at the Street Faire during the “Gil Benjamin Citizen of the Year Award” presentation. The nominees included Lori Sawa, Keren Waters, Carey Eckert, and Granada Hills Charter’s (GHC) very own Engagement and Advocacy Specialist, Bonnee Lallouz.
The 2025 Citizen of the Year, Emilie Koster, presented the award after Congressman Brad Sherman gave an introductory speech. The winner was Carey Eckert, a local real estate agent, Vice President of the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce and creator of the Granada Hills Farmer’s Market, which takes place every Friday night on White Oak Avenue.
Many regular vendors from the Farmer’s Market were present at the Street Faire, promoting their businesses and selling everything from food to crochet toys. One dedicated vendor, Mireilly Dominguez, who owns Mecha BBQ, has even given a speech at the event.
“The Granada Hills Street Faire has been part of our growth since we first started Mecha BBQ about four years ago,” Dominguez said. “As a small business, exposure and word of mouth are so important, and events like the Street Faire allow us to connect with people we might not otherwise reach. I had the privilege of speaking at last year’s Street Faire, and I’m incredibly honored to have been invited back this year. It meant so much to be given a voice, to recognize others, and to feel seen ourselves.”
Not only does the Street Faire connect local businesses, but it also allows GHC students to get involved in the community and network. Lallouz is their main contact, helping to recruit student volunteers, performers, and more to make sure the event runs smoothly. Lallouz has worked at GHC for five years, and has worked with the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years. At the Street Faire, she runs the GHC booth and promotes the school, answering questions and encouraging student volunteers to put themselves out there.
“My favorite part is taking students to different booths and teaching them to network, to learn how to shake someone’s hand,” Lallouz said. “By doing this, some of our students even get part-time jobs. I also love to recruit alumni and raise awareness of upcoming events, get supporters of our school, and get volunteers out in the community.”
Whether you’re a student, local business owner, the owner of an antique car, or just a member of the Granada Hills community looking for a fun time, the Granada Hills Street Faire has something for everyone.
