WITH Chinese New Year coming early in 2009, Chinatown will light up this Saturday. But keen-eyed observers may notice that the display is a little less glitzy than in previous years.

The budget for the Chinatown celebration was cut by 20 per cent due to belt-tightening by corporate and individual sponsors, said Mr Philip Loh, vice-chairman and head of publicity of Chinatown Chinese New Year 2009 celebrations organising committee.

Cutbacks include a shorter fireworks display, reduced from five to three minutes, and fewer strands of firecrackers being set off at the countdown, down to 128 strands from 188 strands before.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.