Unionist politicians mingled with the crowd and Orange Order bands, some of which had come all the way from Canada.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was there, while his predecessor Arlene Foster enjoyed proceedings among the crowd.
Party colleague Ian Paisley Jr was in Stormont too for the occasion, as well as Upper Bann MLA Jonathan Buckley and Lagan Valley MLA Emma Little-Pengelly.
Ulster Unionist Party leader Doug Beattie was there for part of the day, as was Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Simon Byrne.
Everyday politics did not appear to be the priority for many in the crowd as they cheered the return of post-pandemic normality.
The lack of a functioning executive at Stormont, blocked from forming by the DUP over its opposition to the Northern Ireland Protocol, did not weigh heavily for some.
Adele Cantley, from Hillsborough in Co Down, said: "What we can do about it? We can't do anything about it. It doesn't bother me at all.
"It's absolutely fantastic to be here and be back out in the middle of it all."
