By Jay Ross
The official Centennial Banquet Gala celebrating 100 years of Granada Hills took place at The Odyssey Restaurant, marking the centerpiece of a yearlong celebration for “The Valley’s Most Neighborly Town,” founded April 18, 1926.
High in the hills, The Odyssey offered sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley, reminding guests why the community earned the name Granada Hills.
About 200 guests arrived to find a historical display lining the entrance, giving guests a chance to walk through time before dinner—a reminder that Granada Hills did not simply appear one day, but grew, grove by grove, into the community it is today.
A string quartet provided an elegant soundtrack, while later in the evening, the energy and cultural flair of mariachi performers in traditional charro suits decorated with embroidery and silver accents added to the celebration.
Banquet Chair Susan Armendariz welcomed guests, setting a warm and lively tone for the night. Master of Ceremonies and Honorary Mayor John Cicarelli followed with remarks before introducing Reverend Michael McMorrow of the Center for Spiritual Living, who delivered the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Thuy Trifunovic of the Granada Hills Rotary Club.
Dinner was served, followed by birthday cake in honor of the centennial celebration.
A highlight of the evening was a 12-minute video presentation, Granada Hills 1926–2026, produced by Mark Hovater, featuring historical moments and community stories. Hovater was also later recognized for his ongoing work documenting the community.
Guests also heard from former Los Angeles City Councilmember Greig Smith, followed by recognition of local civic organizations. Dr. Carl Melnik, Emeritus Honorary Mayor, also addressed the audience.
Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized how Granada Hills earned its nickname, “The Valley’s Most Neighborly Town,” through the pride, connection, and involvement of its residents and businesses.
As a Granada Hills resident since 1994, I learned along with many others that the area was once covered in vast citrus groves and thousands of acres of orange orchards in the early 20th century. The land was originally part of large ranch holdings that were later subdivided as Los Angeles expanded into the San Fernando Valley.
In 1926, the community was simply called “Granada,” selected through a naming contest. In 1942, the U.S. Postal Service requested the addition of “Hills” to distinguish it from Grenada in Northern California.
Long before suburban development, the area was known for citrus orchards, rabbit raising, and poultry farms—a very different kind of “farm-to-table” economy.
The keynote address was delivered by Los Angeles City Councilmember John Lee, who attended with his wife and members of his staff in his role as Honorary Chairperson of the Centennial Celebration.
The evening concluded with a Centennial video presentation followed by a performance by Granada Hills Charter High School, led by Joseph Cooper, the school’s marching band director, who kept everyone in tune.
To close the night, the Granada Hills Centennial Committee—recently recognized with a formal proclamation from the City of Los Angeles—was honored for its years of planning and coordination under Chairperson John Cicarelli. His eight-year effort brought together the community, residents, businesses, schools, and houses of worship in a unified celebration, and by all accounts, they succeeded.
After 100 years, Granada Hills continues to prove that being “The Valley’s Most Neighborly Town” is more than just a slogan—it is a way of life.
Jay Ross is a freelance photographer based in the San Fernando Valley.
