CHARLOTTE -- Hundreds of people braved the cold Saturday morning and filled Uptown Charlotte to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

The parade has been a Charlotte tradition since 1981, and organizers say this is one of the largest parades in the southeast honoring Dr. King. 

More than 100 groups walked in Saturday's parade. 

For many, the parade wasn't just a day of fun, it was a day to remember the legacy of a man who changed the course of history. 

"He had a dream. His dream was that everybody, black, white, whatever color, whatever nationality, would work together to build a more perfect world," says Doris Reed, the former president of the Charlotte National Council of Negro Women. 

"His whole life he stood for something, and I feel like other people should take that and stand for something too," says Charlotte resident Denzil Xavier. 

Many people say they will continue to honor Dr. King's legacy this weekend by participating in days of service to give back to those in need.