Singapore celebrated its 42nd year of independence with a spectacular display of firepower and water extravaganza held for the first time on a floating platform in Marina Bay in a world-class show brimming with confidence and sophistication.
The new Marina Bay venue also got the thumbs up from spectators. Those we spoke to, told AsiaOne that they loved the openness of the gallery as well as the beautiful backdrop which you can see the city skyline and the closeness to the waterfront.
Some 27,000 spectators watched the novel National Day parade on the Marina Bay seating gallery, and over 180,000 more thronged the Esplanade and One Fullerton waterfront to catch the two-hour show which featured several firsts and incorporated novel fire and water effects.
Among the firsts were streams of water dancing to music, with accompanying bellows of searing flames. Images were also projected onto films of water which acted as the backdrop for the floating stage.
But what sent shrieks through the grandstands and drew gasps of awe was a new military action item, where bombs exploded and soldiers stormed the grandstands; gunfire was traded in mock navy battle in the heart of Marina Bay and helicopters swooped down to as low as 3m.
Perennial crowd favourite, the Red Lions parachuting team, performed a daytime as well as night time free fall much to the delight of the spectators, who cheered them as they landed.
For the flypast, spectators got a much closer look at the state flag as it was flown 200 metres above the bay by a Chinook helicopter, making it appear four times bigger.
The spectators were treated to two dazzling fireworks finales at the end, as bursts of stars shot up from the tops of three office buildings in the Shenton Way area and plumes of fire erupted into the night sky and set it ablaze, thrilling the crowd to bits.
Earlier in the show, the crowds were treated to several pyrotechnic displays which formed part of the props and performances. In one segment, for example, streams of fireworks draped across the Benjamin Sheares Bridge, cascading like a waterfall.
Two new performers - the Naval Diving Unit and the Republic of Singapore Air Force's Apache attack helicopters - made their debut at this year's parade, and showcased their combat manoeuvres on water and in the air to show that helicopters can be more than just transport vehicles for equipment and troops.
The more 'showy' segments were mounted by the army's tanks and bigger contingents, as well as the air force's flypasts and fighter jets in tight formation.
The navy put on show its Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats and Fast Interceptor Craft. Together with the Police Coast Guard's patrol boats, they executed fast turns and moves in the waters near Esplanade Bridge and One Fullerton.
In the sea segment, 40 jellyfish 'bobbed' above the water from the National Stadium to the Marina Bay area. They were helium-filled balloons dressed up in gold-coloured satin cloth, with their tentacles made from streamers.
This year's NDP also showcased two theme songs, both composed by Mr Jimmy Ye. One of them, There's No Place I'd Rather Be, was performed by Kit Chan. The other, Will You?, was sung by 17-year-old opera singer Janani Sridhar and seven other singers from musically diverse backgrounds.
It was night of a thousand stars - and it belonged to Singapore.
