Sue Crick of Waterford Township shows off her 1970 Pontiac Bonneville at Cruise for a Cause, at Central United Methodist Church in Waterford. The Oakland Press/JOSE JUAREZ

The city of Pontiac is putting out the welcome mat with one last salute to the Pontiac motorcar at the Woodward Dream Cruise.



With an emphasis on retirement of the Pontiac nameplate, the city is throwing a two-day bash that will be family fun for all. The “Make the Loop” event in Pontiac will be held during the cruise Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14 and 15. Organizers in Pontiac, which is inside the Woodward Loop, are expecting nearly a half million visitors to the city. The party beings when The Oakland Press Classic Car Show Lot 9 opens at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, with the Hidden River Sock Hop.



Pontiac will once again hold its swap meet at Water and Mill streets in downtown Pontiac just east of Saginaw and north of the Phoenix Plaza.



Then at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, the Dream Cruise parade will circle the Woodward Loop.



Old Pontiac cars will parade around the Woodward Loop at 7 p.m. Saturday.



Beginning at noon on Friday and running on both Friday and Saturday is the Kiddie Land play area for children at Water and Mill streets. Children 2 -11 years old are welcome. The cost is $3 for two hours in the inflatable moon walk. Games and candy are part of the children's area.



Lot 9 at the foot of Saginaw in the downtown, just south of Pike Street, is also expected to get a facelift for the event. There have been complaints in the past regarding the crumbling pavement.



No personal golf carts will be allowed into the downtown. Only official Dream Cruise golf carts will be allowed. Those who drive their own golf carts to the city can be ticketed by law enforcement officials.



Also, no bicycles or skateboards will be allowed in the downtown.



“This year’s cruise will be one of the greatest,” said Pastor Douglas Jones, of the Welcome Missionary Baptist Church and the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition.