National Day Parade Preview

On Saturday July 2nd, I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to attend the Singapore National Day Parade (NDP) Preview. Singapore National Day (like our 4th of July) takes place on August 9th and in celebration of it’s Independence, Singapore puts on this elaborate show called the National Day Parade. Tickets to this event are free, but are incredibly difficult to get. In fact, most Singaporean’s have never attended the event themselves because tickets are handed out by a balloting system. In order to allow more people to see the show though, they open the dress rehearsal (the Preview show) to the public. I was fortunate enough that one of my collegues at BTI got some tickets to the Preview and I just happened to be around when he was talking about how he was going.

How to describe the pure awesomness of this event? I would say it is on par with elaborate nature of any Disney show/parade or I would even go so far as to liken it to an Olympic Opening ceremony--complete with a F16 flyover, cannon solute to the Singapore president, beautiful costumes, and of course fireworks.  My photos do not truly capture how amazing the NDP is.  The show was organized as a 5 act musical describing the present, birth, growth, progress and spirit (Majulah) of Singapore. The Red Lions sky diving team kicked off the show by flying to the stage in perfect formation. Then all of Singapore’s armed forces paraded onto the stage and displayed their tanks, helicopters, trucks, boats, etc etc—there were pyrotechnique special effects throughout this portion. After the Armed forces parade, the show turned more into a musical with beautiful puppets, floats and costumes that lit up as the Sun set. The show concluded with lots of confetti and briliant fireworks which incorporated the Marina bay skyline backdrop--- AMAZING NIGHT for Sure! I can't tell you how fortunate I am to have experienced it in person!

NDP Stage with the Marina Bay as the backdrop. To the left you see the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and to the Right is the Downtown Singapore Skyline

Me and one of my Colleagues from BTI, Frank.  At the NDP you are encouraged to wear Red and White.  I didn't have anything Red so my boss at BTI, Muriel, bought me an I <3 SG shirt--She's the best!!!

Crowd Waving the Singaporean Flag from their Fun Pack

Red Lions skydiving to the stage

One of the Red Lion landing on the stage

Armed forces Parade

Armed Forces Parade

Helicopter flyover with the Singaporean Flag  

F16 Flyby

Act II:  The Birth

Lighted Floats in Act II--At the front of the Stage from the left you see a typewriter, Indian Elephant, and Dim Sum basket floats.

Pretty lighted sea-shells and costumes during Act III Growing up

Act IV: Progress:  This featured an clever song about the MRT system as well as some cool fireworks that included fireworks and lasers on the buildings in the Singapore Skyline

Act IV:  Majulah!  

The Finale

The Encore