Lifestyle activities planned for Singapore's first F1 race
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 23 June 2008 2305 hrs

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SINGAPORE: About half of all tickets sold for the Singapore Formula One race have been bought by foreigners, said the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

To ensure that tourists will be here for more than just the F1 race, the STB has lined up a series of interesting activities.

Over three weeks starting September 20, there will be activities catering to all tastes and ages. About ten lifestyle events, costing several million dollars, are being planned by STB and various partners.

A key highlight of the Singapore Grand Prix season is the inaugural Singapore River Festival, which will focus on three elements – water, heritage and entertainment.

It will also boast Southeast Asia's biggest magic event at the Singapore River. Three people will be tele-ported across the Singapore River in 2.5 seconds by a local illusionist on September 24.

Illusionist JC Sum, Concept Magic, said: "Most of the time, if you watch magic, they are done on stage, across a flat land, but once you have a large body of water like the Singapore River, there is really not much you can do, it's really uncontrollable."

The river will also witness bumboats decorated with lights and a spectacular dance drama about Singapore's origins on water.

Performances aside, there will be a party galore at Clarke Quay and at the ultra-exclusive Amber Lounge at Millenia Waterfall.

And for the first time, there will also be a Singapore Beer Festival to keep the spirits high and an art exhibition featuring monumental sculptures.

Drivers, too, will be part of the activities, with reigning World Champ Kimi Raikkonen dropping by at the Paragon for a watch exhibition by Swiss watchmaker, Tag Heuer.

With more activities, organisers are also ensuring minimal disruptions.

Margaret Teo, assistant chief executive, Leisure, STB, said: "STB, together with other government agencies, are still in the midst of engaging the stakeholders.

"You can be rest assured that we are taking every step to minimise disruption to businesses as well as people's daily lives. We are still finalising the track management plan and hope to share with the media and the public come early next month."

F1 fans can expect a bigger line-up of activities as the race approaches.


- CNA/so