4 Highlights of NDP 2019 (& Details of Post-NDP Celebrations at Heartlands - with tanks!)

The National Day Parade (NDP) returns to The Padang this year, four years after SG50. As a witness to many important events in Singapore's history including our first NDP in 1966, The Padang is where our Singapore Bicentennial celebrations reach a high on 9 August 2019.

We had a chance to attend the NDP Preview I two weekends ago and as with all past parades, the atmosphere was extremely infectious.

It could be because of the colourful costumes and energetic perfomances of the various acts.

Or it could be because of the crowd fave - the Red Lions!

Or it could be due to the RSAF fly-past.

I think all of the above definitely played a part but there are four main highlights of this year's NDP that are worth looking out for.

Special Singapore Bicentennial Segment

Serving as a Prologue to the show, a special segment featuring organisations from the 1800s that contributed to building Singaporean society will kick off NDP 2019. The segment will feature eight floats representing organisations such as Tanjong Pagar Dock Company, an early port operator, Singapore Post Office, Singapore General Hospital, and even Robinsons, the departmental store.

The monkies picked up several interesting bits of historical information, like how Tanjong Pagar Dock Company is actually the predecessor of today's Maritime & Port Authority and Robinsons was founded in Singapore in 1858!

Mobile Column

This year marks 50 years since the Mobile Column first appeared in Padang for the 1969 National Day Parade (NDP). And this will be THE segment to look out for if you love tanks and huge vehicles!

Source: ndp.org.sg

In all, a total of 171 assets from the SAF, SPF and SCDF will be featured in a spectacular 14.5-minute display. New assets including the Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle from the Singapore Army and the ASTER-30 Missile System from the Republic of Singapore Air Force will feature in this year’s Mobile Column for the first time, alongside other crowd favourites such as the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank, Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle, and the Light Strike Vehicle. Naval assets not featured in previous Mobile Columns, such as the Combatant Craft Medium, will also be on show.

In line with this year’s NDP theme, ‘Our Singapore’, the Mobile Column will feature participants across generations in a show of strength and continued commitment to the defence and security of Singapore. In fact, there are 35 Merdeka Generation representatives riding in this year's Mobile Column!

Film Segment in Act 4: Our Nation

To reflect the value of resilience that have been passed on from generation to generation, this Act opens with a film featuring close-ups of four Singaporeans who speak of their challenges – retired healthcare advisor Iris Verghese Sim; music producer and rapper Wheelsmith (a disabled hip hop artiste); social entrepreneur Anil David ; and war survivor Helen Joseph.

Directed by critically-acclaimed film director Royston Tan, the film ties in with the show perfomance and features the four Singaporeans drawing strength and inspiration from the community and the people around them, to overcome their challenges. The final part then focuses on how the protagonists have overcome their challenges, and how they had reached out to those around them, to strengthen their communities and inspire others.

Beautifully shot, very emotional, and definitely not to be missed!

NDP Largest ever Prop: A Huge 6m-tall, 1,000kg Lion

This year's National Day Parade will feature the largest-ever parade prop - a 6m-tall metallic lion weighing about 1,000kg. The sheer size of the lion is simply wow, and when you actually realise that it needs so many people to make the lion puppet move gracefully, it just looks amazing!

And of course, what is NDP without the mandatory light and fireworks show, no?

Happy 54th Birthday in advance, Singapore!

If you do not have tickets to NDP, you can catch the LIVE telecast of NDP 2019 on TV or Toggle on National Day, 9 August!

Or you can head down to the Marina Bay area or Singapore River to catch the fireworks! Just be sure to be there by 8pm.

Source: ndp.org.sg

BUT THE NDP FUN DOESN'T STOP THERE!

On 10 August 2019, one day after National Day, the Mobile Column will travel to five heartland sites across Singapore, complete with National Day Carnivals and culminate with dazzling fireworks at each of the five site!

Source: ndp.org.sg

Gathering points have been marked for those who want to get up close to the vehicles on Saturday. The details of the Mobile Column routes are shown below:

Source: ndp.org.sg

Source: ndp.org.sg

Source: ndp.org.sg

Source: ndp.org.sg

There will also be one-day celebrations will be held at Bishan, Geylang Serai, Jurong East, Punggol and Woodlands on 10 August 2019.

📍Bishan: Open field opposite Bishan Circle Line station

📍Geylang Serai: Beside Wisma Geylang Serai

📍Jurong: Open field next to Jurong East MRT station

📍Punggol: Open field next to Punggol Waterway Point

📍Woodlands: Open field opposite Woodlands Bus Interchange, between Woodlands Ave 5 and North Woodlands Link

Each heartland celebration will have a unique feature ranging from family craft activities, interactive game booths, food stalls, exhibitions, and stage performances for Singaporeans from all walks of life to come together in the spirit of National pride. Residents can look forward to drone gaming and laser tag at Bishan, formation performance with umbrellas by residents and students at Woodlands, or even relive nostalgic moments from the past at Punggol through traditional games and old-school treats! Meanwhile, art-lovers can head over to Geylang Serai and Jurong East for whimsical photo-worthy spots with PAssionArts visual art pieces and participate in hands-on art experiences.

Besides the carnivals, Singaporeans can experience up close and personal with photo opportunities with the Mobile Columns that will also be parked at the five sites.


For more information, visit www.ndp.org.sg/heartlands.html