Opponents of Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump stole the show at the annual Rose Parade in California with a series of skywriting messages that included “Trump is disgusting.”

“America is great! Trump is disgusting” and “Trump loves to hate” were among the messages that were sketched across the clear sky on Friday by six skywriting planes.

The stunt caused a frenzy on social media and along the Rose Parade's route in Pasadena, where hundreds of thousands of visitors gather every year to celebrate the New Year’s Day.

"I've listened to this Donald Trump over the past several months, and I'm the guy that believes you ought to respect the office of president, it doesn't matter who holds it," Stan Pate, who said he was behind the skywriting, told CNN.

"The idea that you can hate your way to the presidency is disgusting to me," he added. "I'm tired of hearing it, he's in the way of us selecting the right person for the job. It's time somebody stood toe to toe with him. I'm encouraging people across all of America to get involved and tell Donald Trump exactly who he is and what he is."

The parade, which is followed by the 102nd Rose Bowl college football game, was held amid tight security, spurred by the recent mass shooting in nearby San Bernardino.

Trump’s campaign has been marked by controversy and divisive rhetoric, including disparaging remarks about women, Muslims and Mexican immigrants.

The billionaire businessman has asked for a "total and complete shutdown" of all Muslims coming to the United States and to keep a database of the ones already in the country.

Trump, whose paternal grandparents immigrated from Germany and his mother immigrated from Scotland, has also called for the deportation of all undocumented immigrants from the United States.

The real-estate tycoon greeted the New Year by proclaiming on Facebook: “2015 was a very special year, and I am grateful for your support! We are making history together! The silent majority is no longer silent.”