On Tuesday (August 9), approximately 25,000 individuals congregated at the Marina Bay floating platform to celebrate Singapore’s 57th anniversary, highlighting both the difficulties brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic and a joyful return to a sense of normalcy.

Dressed in red and white, the crowd participated enthusiastically in the Kallang Wave while enjoying the sound of rifle salutes, marking the first ticketed National Day Parade (NDP) in three years. Although many spectators opted to wear face masks as a precaution, it was not a mandatory requirement.

This year’s festivities significantly contrasted with those of 2020 and 2021, where pandemic restrictions limited attendance to small, distanced audiences. The previous year’s event was even postponed due to a spike in community cases.

In a poignant moment during the celebration, singer-songwriter Aisyah Aziz captivated the audience with her velvety rendition of “You Will Be Found” from the American musical Dear Evan Hansen. This performance marked the beginning of the second act and focused on the impact of the pandemic.

The theme for this year’s parade, “Stronger Together Majulah,” emphasizes unity and resilience in tough times, represented by a logo featuring two figures holding hands to symbolize the creation of a compassionate and inclusive community.

The celebrations commenced around 5:30 PM, with hosts Joakim Gomez, Sonia Chew, Siti Khalijah, and Rishi Budhrani encouraging attendees to wave their lights and flags, leading the crowd in the iconic Kallang Roar.

Among the attendees was homemaker Normala Ahmad, 60, who expressed her longing for such gatherings. “I miss celebrating like this,” she stated, hoping for a future free of pandemics. Teacher Ravindran Rajasekeran, 37, echoed her sentiments, noting, “During the pandemic, many normal activities were restricted. It’s refreshing to witness the parade return to its former glory.”

At 6:30 PM, excitement surged as ten parachutists from the Red Lions gracefully descended from the sky, delighting the crowd. The last parachutist, however, landed awkwardly and was promptly attended to. Later, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed that 3WO (Third Warrant Officer) Jeffrey Heng’s condition was stable and he was receiving necessary medical attention, providing reassurance to the concerned audience.