CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Uptown Charlotte is gearing up for one of its biggest celebrations of the year, as the 26th Annual Charlotte Pride Festival officially kicks off this weekend. First Ward Park will serve as the main hub for the two-day event, featuring a youth and family zone, health vendors, a nd live stage acts. The massive Charlotte Pride parade is scheduled to roll down North Tryon street Sunday starting at one p.m. Organizers are working closely with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police to ensure a visible security presence across the festival zone, but officials say their number-one safety concern this weekend is actually the dangerous weather. Pride organizer Caroline Bedenbaugh says, “Our number one usually safety concerns is actually dehydration and heat related. So stay hydrated. that’s our number one recommendation is to stay hydrated, stick with a buddy and then you can watch out for each other.” To combat the triple-digit heat index, organizers have set up cooling fans near the main stage, an air-conditioned family tent, and designated indoor cooling zones at the UNCC Dubois Center. Festival events run all day Saturday and Sunday, and admission to the main park grounds is completely free ...read more read less