SINGAPORE – Despite the relentless afternoon heat, empty spaces around the National Stadium and along the Kallang Basin quickly filled up with picnic mats, foldable chairs and ice coolers as people staked out their spots ahead of the National Day Parade on Aug 9.
Many said they were looking forward to the main fireworks display at 8.15pm.
Among them was Ho Kien Mun, 57, who arrived alone at 1pm and set up his red-and-white checkered picnic mat on the bank of the Kallang Basin, close to Nicoll Highway MRT station.
“I came here so early because I’m kiasu. I’m the advance party,” said Ho, adding that eight family members and friends planned to join him at 4pm.
The business development director said he had spent the last week scouting out the best areas to catch the fireworks, and finally settled on his spot because it provided the most shade.
Ho Kien Mun (behind flag), with (first row from left) Ang Shihui, Yifan, Duoduo, Yiji, (second row from left) Zhang Sijuan, Li Ting, Jacky Wang, (third row from left) Dan Na Wu, and Howard Yang, at Republic Avenue on Aug 9.
ST PHOTO: SARAH LEE
He added that he is most excited to hear the marching commands during the ceremonial parade and the feu de joie, or the fire of joy, because they represent Singapore’s sovereignty.
Basking in the excitement outside the stadium was 46-year-old Ong Rui Yang, who last visited the Kallang area for National Day 10 years ago, when the parade was last held in the National Stadium.
Back then, it was just him and his wife. This year, the couple returned with two additions – their children, aged four and seven – to continue their annual tradition of joining in the festivities near the parade venue.
“It is different now, since our kids are here with us. We came early to soak in the atmosphere by wearing red and pasting face stickers, since we were unable to get tickets to watch the parade,” the accountant said.
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