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SINGAPORE : This year's National Day Parade is about "Celebrating the Singapore Spirit".
The big show will be held at the Marina Bay for the second year running. But organisers are injecting many new elements, to bring the parade very much closer to spectators.
The public can expect traditional favourites at this year's National Day Parade. But besides a new theme and logo, organisers also plan to raise the bar with some new items.
The Black Knights will take to the skies for the first time over the city skyline. They will wow the crowds with a new six-minute routine that commemorates the 40th anniversary of the Air Force.
And on the water, spectators will be thrilled by speed boats racing across the Bay. Organisers are also bringing back military precision drills and combined school choir to this year's parade.
In addition, a promenade which separates the stage and the seating gallery has been expanded to about twice its original width. Even though this is done for the Formula One race in Singapore, organisers will also be making use of the bigger space to bring the National Day Parade closer to the spectators.
The new approach is based on feedback from last year's parade, which was the first to be held at Marina Bay.
Colonel Tung Yui Fai, Chairman, Executive Committee, NDP 2008, explained: "Because of the large floating platform, the audience had a little bit of difficulty understanding and watching the show. So one of the things we want to do this year is to find a way to bring the performance and the parade closer to the audience.
"And one way to do this is to build a more elaborate stage set, a three-tiered stage set. This year, you'll be able to see that the parade will be in a three-dimensional layout. One of the things we're trying to do this year is to try to have a giant birthday card which will involve all 27,000 spectators."
Organisers promise that this year's parade will have a little bit of everything for everyone.
Colonel Tung said: "You cannot make National Day Parade a fine cuisine that caters to a certain segment of the population. It has to be a buffet. Anyone who comes to the parade must have something that they like.
"So some people like the fireworks, some like to watch the marching, some like the Red Lions, some like to see the aircraft. But they'll come, take what they like and feel engaged. So I think as Chairman, my job is to make sure that there are enough dishes (so) that everyone will be satisfied at the parade."
Organisers are also in talks with establishments at Marina Bay to put up large screens and show the parade 'live' to the 200,000 people gathered along the waterfront during the parade.
Members of the public can start applying for tickets from May 16 onwards. They can apply for the tickets via the following methods:
- Via SMS by keying in 'NDP' and sending it to 76868.
- Via telephone, by calling 1900-112-4311 for the preview to be held on August 2, or 1900-112-4312 for the parade to be held on August 9.
- Via the NDP website
- Via any SAM and AXS stations
They can apply for either two, four or six tickets, and can apply as many times as they like. However, only the latest application will be entered into an electronic ballot. Applications close on May 25.
Organisers received over half a million applications last year and expect the numbers to be more this year. Tickets will be distributed from June 13 to 22 at the Floating Platform at Marina Bay. - CNA/ms
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