Pontiac announces new community events series including Third Thursdays and Food Week

Pontiac City Council is gearing up for a vibrant summer filled with community events, as highlighted in the recent meeting on April 15, 2025. Mayor Bridal announced an exciting lineup of activities designed to foster community spirit and engagement, including a new series called "Third Thursdays," which will take place downtown from May through September. This initiative aims to bring residents together with music, food, and festivities, kicking off with the annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Parade and Festival on June 14.

In addition to these events, the city will celebrate Pontiac's Woodward Dream Cruise on August 16 and host Pontiac Food Week from August 17 to August 23. The Pontiac Arts Crawl is scheduled for September 13, followed by Small Business Month and Shop Pontiac Small Business Saturday in November. The year will culminate with the Tree of Hope lighting ceremony and holiday extravaganza in December.

However, the meeting also revealed underlying tensions regarding city governance and community needs. Several residents voiced concerns about the administration's handling of city resources and the lack of focus on workforce development. Dr. Deidre Waterman criticized the current leadership for not fulfilling promises made to the community, particularly regarding the establishment of a youth center and the management of ARPA funding, which she argued should have benefited local residents more directly.

Carlton Jones echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the necessity for the city budget to prioritize workforce development to uplift the community economically. He urged council members to ensure accountability in budget allocations and to focus on initiatives that would genuinely benefit Pontiac residents.

As the city prepares for its summer events, the discussions at the council meeting underscore a critical need for collaboration and transparency in governance. The community's call for action highlights the importance of addressing both celebratory and pressing issues to ensure Pontiac's revitalization is inclusive and effective. The council's next steps will be crucial in determining how well they can balance these community aspirations with practical governance.