SINGAPORE: The National Day Parade, which usually draws huge crowds in Singapore, will be telecast to viewers all over Asia for the first time.

On August 9, the parade will broadcast 'live' on Channel NewsAsia International, which is seen in over 20 territories.

This year, nearly 250,000 people applied for tickets to the big event, but only 27,000 lucky ones get to go to the parade.

Several events, such as Southeast Asia's first-ever Fire Festival, will be part of the National Day celebrations for the first time.

And for the second year, the parade will be held at the Marina Bay floating platform in the heart of Singapore's business district. The site also forms part of the inaugural Singapore Formula One night race circuit in September.

To rev up the action, a K1 Race Finals and a motorsport carnival will be held in the area as well.

Brigadier-General Tung Yui Fai, chairman of the executive committee for the National Day Parade 2008, said: "A lot of stakeholders were interested to partner with us and organisations are trying to organise events around the island at the same time.

"This year, we have 32,000 youths holding hands to recite the pledge together with President Nathan on the eve of National Day."

Overseas Singaporeans will be able to watch the parade, which has a potential viewership of 19 million, 'live' on Channel NewsAsia International.

Woon Tai Ho, managing director of MediaCorp News, said: "There will be a lot of resonance for Singaporeans living abroad. There's always a homesickness at the time of National Day, so this time, they can watch the parade 'live' as if they are in Singapore.

"It also allows sponsors and corporate citizens who really want to congratulate Singapore from abroad to use Channel NewsAsia International as a platform to do so."

And for those who are contemplating a trip here, the Singapore Fireworks Celebrations - a major highlight of the National Day Celebrations - will begin on August 22 this year.


- CNA/so