SINGAPORE: The New Year Countdown party at
Singapore's Marina Bay is expected to draw in a bigger crowd this
year, with the completion of key developments in the area and more
vantage points on offer.
The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, touted as the nation's biggest
party, has attracted thousands every year and this year, some
300,000 are expected.
But unlike previous years, the Esplanade Bridge will not be
available as a vantage point as it will be opened to vehicular
traffic. But revellers will have many other vantage points with the
opening of new public spaces.
Fun Siew Leng, Group Director of Urban Planning and Design with the
Urban Redevelopment Authority, said: "This year is a very special
year, it's a culmination of a whole year of events of 2010, because
2010 marks the completion of many major developments around the
Marina Bay including the Waterfront Promenade, the Helix and the
key developments such as the Marina Bay Sands."
As part of the Countdown sequence, a new element has been added to
mark the final 10 seconds of 2010 before a brand new year begins.
This set of surge lights you see behind me will shine rays of
bright lights that will converge from opposite ends of Marina Bay,
forming a distinct canopy of light shining over the entire Bay. And
at the stroke of midnight, there will be fireworks for eight
minutes.
The spectacle will be accompanied by an original score by local
composer, Iskandar Ismail. Wishes from community leaders and
well-known personalities will be shown in the form of video
dedications. Revellers will also be treated to free performances
and art activities that will begin from 5pm to 1am.
Those at home can watch the countdown live on MediaCorp's Channel 5
from 11pm onwards.
The show will feature homegrown acts like Jill-Marie Thomas -
winner of talent show, One Moment of Glory, local rock band Rancour
and taiwanese star, David Tao.
With the expected bigger turnout, security is not taken
lightly.
Central Police Division Commander Tan Hung Hooi, said: "As this is
the first year that the bay area is fully opened, we are deploying
about in total 1,400 officers for the event, the number includes
police officers, auxiliary police officers, as well as event
security officers. Due to the large number of people expected in
the area, we advise members of the public to be patient and very
importantly to cooperate with the officers. This is to ensure that
while they have a good time here, they can also go home in a safe
and orderly manner."
Crowd control barricades and directional signs will be put to
facilitate safe and orderly crowd dispersal. Bag checks may also be
conducted. Women are advised to be vigilant against those who might
commit molest in crowded areas. Police said in some cases the
culprits have been known to spray foam onto the victim and take the
opportunity to commit the act in the process.
And to ensure a smoother flow of traffic, party-goers are urged to
take public transport. Some roads near the venue will have lane
closures, with full closures only kicking in from 11.30pm on some
roads, to facilitate people to the venue before the countdown
begins. The footway along Benjamin Sheares Bridge will also be
closed to the public from 6pm to 1am due to public safety concerns
like overcrowding.
The Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2010/2011 is being jointly
presented by Esplanade and the Urban Redevelopment
Authority.