This is it – no, not just the ushering of another new year but it will be the significant counting down to Singapore’s 50th year with a bang. There will be a host of exciting activities for everyone from all ages and all walks of life. We’re very happy and privileged to be appointed 1 of the 5 official bloggers for this much-anticipated Countdown but, before you scroll down to see the event listing, pause for a moment and consider…
Consider what we are celebrating about and why.
Singapore, 50 years ago was a vastly different place. The familiar vista of Singapore River has seen her fair share of steamers, junks, bum-boats…vessels of every shape and size berthed there. Along with those vessels came our forefathers – the pioneer generations with a common goal in mind – to forge a better future.
Consider Singapore now, the transformation we have achieved in a short span of 50 years. How far we have come as a nation and how much we have progressed such that we are more than just a tiny red dot on the world map. With that perspective, we welcome you to the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2015 – the ONE event where we celebrate the fruition of the dreams of our pioneers and exhorting the dreams of the current generation as we surge into the future.
Being families with young children, we would usually shy from such mega events as we associate it more for the ‘young and restless’. But, this year’s countdown is extra meaningful as it will kick off the year-long SG50 nationwide celebrations in both the city and the heartlands. After being briefed by the organisers how momentous this countdown would be, we feel honoured to be hand-picked to share our perspective as a family blogger so as to encourage more families all over Singapore to join us in counting down to SG50 together as ONE!
Here are the exciting events all of us can participate in:
With a host of events taking place around the bay (outdoor concerts, carnivals and waterfront bazaars) from early evening till past midnight on 31 Dec 2014, there is something for everyone. The live telecast of the “Celebrate SG50” Countdown Show at the Marina Bay Floating Platform will also include feed-ins from 3 satellite neighbourhood towns across Singapore, united to kick-start a year-long celebration for Singapore’s Golden Jubilee!
2. Make a Wish – Wish Upon a Sphere
The Wishing Sphere Project, a unique tradition of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, invites all to pen their New Year’s wishes on some 25,000 spheres at wishing stations located island-wide from mid-November. Everyone is invited to reflect on what is precious to us, and to pen a wish for Singapore on the Wishing Spheres. Each Wishing Sphere represents a heartfelt hope, a belief that the New Year will bring new possibilities and a brighter tomorrow. Singaporeans overseas can also participate by penning their wishes online.
In celebration of SG50 and to mark the 10th edition of the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown, a special installation of 25,000 red and white wishing spheres will be set afloat in Marina Bay, transforming it into a spectacular Bay of hope and light.
Wishing Spheres Stations Across the Island
ESPLANADE 1 Nov – 23 Dec, 6pm – 10pm
Esplanade Outdoor Theatre and Concourse
LIBRARIES 28 Nov – 14 Dec, 12pm – 8pm
Central Public Library, Jurong Regional Library, Serangoon Public Library, Tampines Regional Library and Woodlands Regional Library. Click here to view more locations of wishing stations.
3. Snap and Win – Happy Jubilee!
Shutterbugs can take part in the Photo Competition with the theme “Happy Jubilee”. Participants are to submit photos which capture people in celebration of this joyous occasion, highlight kinship, friendship or community ties, and reflect pride in Singapore’s achievements as a nation over the past 50 years. Submission deadline is 05 January 2015 and winning entries will be showcased in a month-long exhibition in 2015. Click here for more details of the “Happy Jubilee” Photo Competition and to view past year’s winning entries!
For Instagram users, share your countdown celebration with the hashtag #MBSC2015 and stand a chance to win a prize!
4. “CELEBRATE SG50” Show at The Float@Marina Bay
The nation’s most anticipated countdown party of the year, “CELEBRATE SG50”, will be a seven-hour non-stop extravaganza showcasing the best of local pop culture over the last 50 years. More than 60 local artistes from the last five decades will perform at this star-studded event, from Dick Lee, Ann Hussein, John Molina, Kit Chan to The Sam Willows and Stefanie Sun. These Singaporean artistes will be joined by regional superstars Malaysia’s Dato Siti Nurhaliza and K-Pop’s BIGBANG. Television celebrities as well as radio personalities Jean Danker, Yasminne Cheng, The Muttons, will also join the party to usher in Singapore’s 50th year.
At the stroke of midnight, a breath-taking eight-minute fireworks display will light up the Marina Bay area. The biggest outdoor dance party will then continue on The Float @ Marina Bay with deejay Tinc spinning against the spectacular views of the Singapore city skyline in the background from 1.00am to 3.00am.
Tickets from $28 are available at all SISTIC outlets from 26 November 2014. Stay tuned as we bring you more snoops on the Marina Bay SG Countdown 2015 plus a special giveaway of tickets to watch the ‘Celebrate SG50‘ show LIVE at The Float@Marina Bay on 31 Dec 2014!
[…] Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored post but we’re happy to give a shout out as one of Marina Bay Singapore Countdown Official Bloggers 2015. […]