Marina Bay Lights Up: Singapore’s First National Day Parade Preview
Picture this: the Marina Bay floating platform glowing as a sea of red and white swells under the night sky on Saturday, July 23. With almost 25,000 eyes glued to the horizon, Singaporeans got a taste of the big August 9 celebration after a two‑year hiatus of smaller, low‑profile events forced by Covid‑19.
Getting Ready for the Show
Everyone was fully vaccinated – masks were on, but the energy was unmistakably off‑limits to any doubts. The crowd erupted in cheers, waving flags like confetti, while hosts Sonia Chew, Joakim Gomez, Siti Khalijah and Rishi Budhrani kept the vibe lively and genuine.
Highlights That Made Heads Spin
- National Service Celebrations – this year marked the 55th anniversary of national service, with a special segment spotlighting servicemen.
- Nation‑wide F‑16 Aerobatics – the sky was dotted with sleek F‑16 jets, adding that classic “wow” factor.
- Red Lions Parachute Team – their display jumps were nothing short of jaw‑dropping.
- Total Defence Display – a showcase of teamwork across the armed forces and Home Team.
- Special Forces Hostage‑Rescue Demo – SAF’s special forces staged a first‑time rescue from a “hijacked” public transport bus, turning the parade into something truly unforgettable.
Leadership Touch
Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen gave the parade a thumbs‑up and a few nods, underpinning the event’s national significance. It was a big gesture, drumroll and all.
A Personal Moment
65‑year‑old logistics manager Othman Ayob was in the mix, joined by wife, son, daughter‑in‑law, and little grandkid. It was his sixth time attending this parade, but his first on the iconic floating platform. Snacks? They were there for the memories, not the buffet crowds.
All in all, the preview was a perfect blend of patriotic pride, edge‑of‑the‑seat action, and a dash of belly‑laughing camaraderie that only Singapore can pull off.
<img alt="" data-caption="Red Lions during NDP 2022 preview show held at The Float @ Marina Bay, on July 23, 2022.
PHOTO: The Straits Times” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”bcdfdefe-d7d5-4d2c-bdc8-da5b075667b4″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/240722_redlions_st.jpg”/>
Singapore’s Epic National Day Parade Kicks Off the Final Float‑Era!
Remember the 1980s – where the only way to snag a seat was to lie in a queue until sunrise? My wife and I did that almost every year because having a front‑row seat to the National Day Parade was nothing short of a national treasure!
Fast forward to 2022 and the scene has changed. Count me in: we finally fetched tickets to see the parade live on The Float – and guess what? It’s the very last time the spectacle will unfold on this floating platform.
All that glitter and cheer will move next year to the Padang, the Grand FI n abbreviated as “the Padang” in the local lingo.
Getting to the Show!
- Saturday marked the premiere of two fully‑featured preview gigs for the NDP.
- The event returned to its classic, centre‑based format – tickets go on a simple ballot; no late‑night stand‑ins.
- The highlight: Adrian Pang, a theatre veteran with a fresh creative director twist, helmed the show. The narrative? Singapore’s COVID‑19 journey — a minefield turned roadmap to recovery.
Fan‑Zone 44!
Meet Barakatneisa Shahul Hamid, a 44‑year‑old dental nurse who stood in line alongside her family. “Coming back to NDP live feels like a vacuum cleaner of joy,” she giggled, thumping her heart against the roar of crowds.
“It’s a whole lot better than the TV version – you practically smell the fireworks, taste the Red Lions’ spicy noodle vibes, and feel brighter than a solar panel,” she added, her excitement higher than the stadium lights.
Why the Float Matters
This final float‑year is a treat for photo‑ops— a floating backdrop that snapped to media feeds before the next chapter on land starts.
So, as Singapore’s skyline glows, remember that the last float will remind us how far we’ve come and who’s here to celebrate it!
