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The military parade celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary drew thousands of spectators from across the country and world to Washington, D.C., with a powerful display of America's military might.

Soldiers and tanks paraded down streets as people lined the route to honor the milestone on Saturday. Some went face-to-face with troops in live demonstrations, getting an inside look at Army helicopters and tanks up close.

"We love the [Army] and we appreciate them and we appreciate the things that they've been doing for the last 250 years," Dante Johnson, who traveled from Baltimore, said.

Others had even more reason to celebrate, with the parade's timing coinciding with President Donald Trump's birthday.

"It's my president's birthday, and so I'm out here to support him and support our fantastic troops," Dominic Box, a spectator and convicted Jan. 6 protester, said. "I'm here to support him and to see all my friends that I was incarcerated with."

But while many came to celebrate, others showed up to protest, drawing parallels to the "No Kings" demonstrations across the country, warning of a deeper political message.

"This is terrifying, authoritarian, and apocalyptic," Joseph Tiernan from Arlington, Virginia, said. "[Trump] likes authoritarian displays. He's wanted a really big one for a while, and I think he's finally getting what he wants."

While many remain divided, the parade remained largely peaceful. The parade has become a flashpoint of debate over the cost, timing and message behind it. The event alone is expected to cost taxpayers between $25 million and $45 million. Some said the spectacle was worth it, while others argued the money should have been spent elsewhere.