| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: Singapore celebrated its 44th birthday with a massive party by the bay - the National Day Parade (NDP) at the Marina Bay Floating Platform.
Over 27,000 people watched the NDP from the parade stands while thousands more caught the show around the bay area, on television and online.
It was a sea of red and white at the parade ground as the nation gathered for its biggest party of the year.
In the early part of the show, three F-16s swooped across the bay in what is known as the salute to the nation, wowing the crowd.
There was also a thrilling police boat chase on the Singapore River just metres away from the crowd, and some spills too - literally - with a Chinook flying low over the water.
Then it was all eyes on the skies as the audience caught the freefallers parachuting down to the parade ground.
Pomp and ceremony came in the more formal part of the show, with the
guard-of-honour inspection by President SR Nathan as well as the 21-gun salute.
There was also a march past that for the first time saw contingents marching along a 3.2km stretch of road and past famous city landmarks just outside the bayfront area.
In addition, a staple at these annual shows - cultural performances to underscore the country's multi-ethnic mix, but with enough twists to keep the crowd entertained.
And what's a party without music? Local rock band Electrico performed their special composition for the occasion "What Do You See?".
Then in a special moment for a country which has been through some turbulent times this year, the bayfront turned silent at exactly 8.22pm for the participants to recite the national pledge.
It was the exact moment when organisers hoped, for the first time, all Singaporeans - even those outside the parade ground - would stop what they were doing to put their hand on their heart and recite the pledge.
Following that was an explosive finale to the parade as the brilliant fireworks display lit up the skies and dazzled the audience.
Singaporeans weren't the only ones celebrating the country's 44th birthday.
Tourists and expatriates were also at the NDP party, and they were impressed.
"This is on a very big scale compared to local carnivals....." said a British woman.
"I like how everyone's here for one cause.....there are so many different races," said an American man.
The parade may be over but the party has only just begun for many others.
In fact, hundreds of performers were dancing the night away, and they've got every reason to celebrate, having put on such a great show - full of colour, music and action.
- CNA/ir
|
