National Day Parade

I last attended this event in 2016. Then it was at the floating platform. Getting there and out was a nightmare and it was so hot just sitting out in the open waiting for the parade to start. I told myself I wouldn’t want to do this again.

This time it was at the National Stadium and the CDC had called me and asked if I wanted to attend and took the trouble to send me the tickets. So I felt I should go. I went with U Zyn.

I felt getting there and back was easier. I was at the venue within 20 minutes. Clearing security was a breeze. And as for the stadium itself, it was cooler and shaded.

People mostly wore red and white, as I had done, and seemed to enjoy themselves waiting for the event to start.

But I felt the overall standard of the show was below par. The stadium is just not conducive for this. No fly by, no military columns and no view of the fireworks. And I just felt that every single one of the items had no impact and no single theme. Even the inspection of the guard of honour was sub standard. The drone show was ordinary. People were just sitting and watching the big screens as it was impossible to see the performers actually doing their thing. A mass event or performance like what they do for the opening of the Olympics might have fared better but that was not to be.

I could see that towards the end, people were looking bored and losing interest. I do hope they change the venue for future parades. Everyone needs to have a central focus and they all need to be able to see the stage. And a parade must have a fly past and military columns to stir interest.

I walked out at 8pm before the parade ended to go outside and watch the fireworks. I didn’t think I was missing anything anyway. The fireworks was for me the only highlight of yesterday’s event.