About an hour before the inaugural parade began, stands were empty and the crowd was thin, which has become the running theme among President Donald Trump’s celebrations this week. Attendance remained fairly anemic even after the parade finally got off to a late start.

The new president made a few lackluster appearances that left some even some fans disappointed.

Beginning at the intersection of 10th Street NW, Mr. and Mrs. Trump waved and walked down Pennsylvania Avenue for less than two blocks, as supporters cheered. But they got back into their limo before arriving at Trump’s namesake hotel—the walk lasted just five minutes.

One Trump supporter told The Washington Post that it was the “worst parade ever,” adding that he waited three hours “for that.” Another supporter likened it to a funeral.

Like much of downtown today, the route saw a mix of fans and protesters. Around Freedom Plaza, the mix seemed to be about 80/20, with a healthy showing of both MAGA hats and protest signs. When Trump’s motorcade went by, protesters unfurled a large banner reading “No Islamaphobia” and minor scuffle ensued when a Trump supporter tried to pull it down, but there was little other drama at the site, which was originally slated to host the ANSWER coalition’s anti-war protest.

Without Trump on foot, “the greatest point of tension was the giant pink dildo that someone threw out onto the parade route,” according to Buzzfeed reporter Hamza Shaban.

Vice President Mike Pence did take a brief walk in front of the Trump International Hotel—to a crowd that both cheered and taunted.

The main protest site along the parade route was on the north side of the Navy Memorial. Demonstrators held signs and chanted over trump supporters who gathered across the street. In contrast to the earlier protests at Franklin Square, this gathering was peaceful.

As Trump’s motorcade approached the Treasury Building near 15th Street NW, he reemerged for another short-lived wave with the first lady. About five minutes later, they got out for a third time in front of VIP review stands, with their son Barron.

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