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SINGAPORE : After years at the National Stadium and the Padang, Singapore's 42nd birthday bash moves to the waterfront at the Marina Bay on Thursday.
As the country marked its first birthday celebration on water, the economy too seems to be going swimmingly well.
Economic growth for this year has been revised upwards to between 7 and 8 per cent and a record number of over 100,000 jobs has also been created.
Thundering above the crowd, the F-16 Fighting Falcons saluted the nation with a rousing bomb burst.
This year's location at the Marina Bay meant the action was a lot closer to the ground.
But it was also trickier for the parade's crowd favourite the Red Lions - the SAF parajumpers - to make their night dive onto the platform, the world's largest floating stage.
This year's show is inspired by the elements of Sea, Earth, Sky, Fire and People, in line with it being the first parade by the Bay, a district marked out for the future Integrated Resort, and Business and Financial Centre.
"The display on water is fantastic," said one Singaporean.
"I like the spirit," said another.
While the new venue can sit about half the number of spectators compared to previous National Day Parades at the National Stadium, there was the waterfront from where up to 150,000 could also enjoy the sights and sounds.
For the first time, Singapore's birthday is being celebrated with a string of events called the National Day Festival extending beyond August 9th itself.
But as always, it is the sparkling finale that lingers and this time it is a beautiful array of colours against the city skyline. - CNA/ch
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