Channel NewsAsia - 43 minutes
ago
SINGAPORE : The Chingay Parade this weekend promises to impress
with colourful and glitzy floats. But it is not just a feast for
the eyes.
This year, new entrant National Parks Board (NParks) is making
its debut, with something that appeals to one’s sense of smell as
well.
It is a fresh take on an event that is into its 36th year.
NParks aims to re—create a lush and tropical garden for its
first—ever Chingay Parade float, dressing it up with fresh blooms
and plants.
A total of 4,000 flowers and plants has been used for the
float.
The flowers have been specially picked not just from Singapore
and but other parts of Asia as well — at a cost of at least
S$20,000.
It is also a promotional gimmick, with it being called the
"Singapore Garden Festival" float, named after the biennial
international show organised by NParks.
Award—winning local designer Alan Tan said he was inspired by
three garden creatures.
He explained, "The whole design goes around the three mascots.
Basically, I have the grasshopper sitting on the rock, playing the
violin, serenading the flowers; the bee, our new mascot this year,
actually dancing around the flowers; and of course my ladybug.
Basically, this is their home. In my imagination, this is their
home that I’ve created."
Members of the public can get creative too. They can join a
contest to name the mascots and if their choice is picked, they
will win an iPod touch worth S$698.
The public can get more details of the SMS contest at this
website — CNA/ms
