Charlotte Pride weekend is finally here, and for many festivalgoers, that means hours spent walking through Uptown, catching performances, visiting vendors, dancing, watching Sunday’s parade and celebrating with friends.
It also means spending a lot of time outside during what is shaping up to be an extremely hot weekend.
The Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade returns August 15 -16, with heat index values expected to climb above 100 degrees. WBTV meteorologists reported Wednesday that high temperatures combined with humidity will create potentially dangerous conditions, with chances for afternoon storms adding another wrinkle to the weekend forecast. That makes taking care of yourself, and the people you’re celebrating with, especially important.
Heat-related illness isn’t unusual during Charlotte Pride. The organization says dehydration and heat exhaustion are the most common reasons people seek medical assistance during the festival, encouraging attendees to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen and take breaks in the shade.
Hydration is something to think about before you’re already hot and thirsty. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends carrying a water bottle and drinking and refilling it throughout the day, regardless of how active you are. The agency also recommends considering limiting beverages high in sugar, sodium, caffeine or alcohol.
For anyone planning to make a full day of Pride, taking a break doesn’t have to mean calling it a day. Finding some shade, stepping inside an air-conditioned space or simply sitting down for a while can give your body a chance to cool off before heading back into the festival.
It’s also worth paying attention to what your body is telling you. Nausea, dizziness, weakness, unusually heavy sweating, muscle cramping, shortness of breath and headaches can all be signs that your body is overheating, according to the CDC. Rather than trying to push through those symptoms to catch one more performance or make it to the next event, they can be a sign that it’s time to get out of the heat and seek medical care when needed.
The buddy system can help here, too. Charlotte Pride already encourages festivalgoers to attend with friends or family and keep track of one another throughout the event. On a weekend this hot, checking in can be as simple as making sure everyone has had some water, noticing when someone isn’t feeling well or deciding it’s time for the group to cool off for a while.
Some festivalgoers may need to be particularly mindful of the heat. Older adults, infants and young children, pregnant people and people with asthma, heart disease or other chronic health conditions can face greater risks from extreme temperatures. The CDC also notes that some medications can contribute to dehydration or overheating.
And while the heat will be a major concern, it may not be the only weather Pride attendees encounter. As of Wednesday, WBTV was forecasting a 40% chance of afternoon storms Saturday and a 30% chance of rain and storms Sunday.
Pride weekend can be a marathon, especially for anyone trying to fit two days of festival activities, performances, parties and a parade into one weekend. With temperatures expected to feel hotter than 100 degrees, a little planning can make it easier to enjoy all of it.
Bring the water bottle. Pack the sunscreen. Find the shade. Check on your friends. And if your body is telling you it’s time for a break, listen to it.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
