55,000 turn up for National Day Parade preview show
It was a sea of red at the National Stadium as thousands turned up
for the National Day Parade preview show.
Nearly all the 55,000 spectators who turned up for the preview on
Saturday were decked out in red.
The sun was glaring but they came all equipped, carrying umbrellas
as shields.
Hand-held fans and caps were provided for in the National Day
Parade fun packs given out to the spectators.
"When I come to the National Day Parade, I'm supposed to bring
hats, umbrella, tissue papers, plastic bags," said a little
girl.
"When we come to the National Day Parade, the things that we must
bring are water, our electric fan, and our big smile for the day!"
said a woman.
"Of course, their milk, their diapers, all the necessities to dress
them," said a Malay woman who was bottle-feeding her toddler.
"The most important thing that you can bring to the parade is your
family, the togetherness to celebrate the birthday of the country,"
said a man, who was with his wife and two kids.
Behind the scene are the commentators for the show.
Channel NewsAsia's Cheryl Fox is doing it for the first time while
MediaCorp Radio's Bernard Lim has been doing it for the past four
years.
Adding a special touch to this year's celebrations is the fact that
this is the last time the National Day Parade will be held at the
National Stadium.
Bernard said: "A lot of feelings for the stadium, not just for the
National Day Parade but the many other sporting activities,
concerts etc. But for the parade itself, it's my third time
commentating from the National Stadium. It's kind of sad to see the
grand old lady torn down after this big party. The biggest thrill
for me is to feel the energy in the stadium. I still get goose
bumps when the Chinook helicopter carrying the national flag flies
across during the singing of the National Anthem."
Cheryl said: "It's been a huge learning experience. I've had
experience being a performer in a parade, being in the stands
watching it. But when you're doing commentary, it's a whole
different ball game, especially when you have to sit down and
script according to each and every segment that makes up the whole
parade."
Their commentaries can be heard during the live broadcast of NDP
2006 on Channel 5 on 9 August. - CNA/ir
