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NDP 2023: First full-scale celebrations at Padang since 2019; Red Lions will not make jumps in heartlands

SINGAPORE — This year’s National Day Parade will return to the Padang in its full glory on Aug 9 for the first time since 2019, but the Red Lions will not be making freefall jumps in the heartlands.

A Red Lion parachutist performing a freefall jump at the 2022 National Day Parade.
A Red Lion parachutist performing a freefall jump at the 2022 National Day Parade.
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  • On Aug 9, the first full-scale National Day Parade celebrations will be held at the Padang since 2019
  • The Red Lions will make jumps at the Padang but not in the heartlands as they have done for the past three years
  • There will be an enhanced aerial display to commemorate the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 55th anniversary as well
  • The public will be able to join in the celebrations ahead of the parade, with activities held in various neighbourhoods 

SINGAPORE — This year’s National Day Parade (NDP) will return to the Padang in its full glory on Aug 9 for the first time since 2019, and will include perennial crowd favourites such as the freefall jumps by the Red Lions.

Celebrations will also be held in the heartlands over the weekend of Aug 5 and 6, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said on Thursday (May 25).

However, as announced earlier by Mindef, the parachutists will not be doing jumps in housing estates. 

The Red Lions first did freefall jumping in various locations in the heartlands at NDP 2020 to pay tribute to frontline workers during the Covid-19 pandemic. This was done again for the next two years.

In an incident at the Marina Bay floating platform last year, an unexpected change in wind direction caused one of the parachutists, Third Warrant Officer Jeffrey Heng, to skid on the pavement and fall to the ground. He was stretchered off but did not suffer severe injuries.

A safety review of the incident found no procedural lapses, though it was decided that from now on, enlarged parachutists' landing zones will be placed further from the spectator stands.

Mindef said that the decision on the Red Lions not heading to the heartlands this year is not linked to the incident and the review.

"It’s related to each year’s NDP concept of celebrations, so this is not ruling out that in future NDPs, there won’t be heartland jumps,” it added.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR NDP 2023

Apart from the Red Lions, crowd favourites such as the Presidential Gun Salute will also return this year, alongside multi-media projections and a fireworks display.

In a press statement, Mindef said that this year’s NDP theme is “Onward as One”, which “calls upon Singaporeans to look forward confidently and to move onward together in building our shared future as one united people”.

A highlight of this year’s programme will be the Total Defence Parade, which will be a special segment featuring the six "pillars" of Total Defence using floats, Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team hardware, as well as a multi-media performance.

Audiences can also look forward to an enhanced aerial display to commemorate the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s 55th anniversary.

CELEBRATIONS IN THE HEARTLANDS

The public will be able to join in the celebrations ahead of the parade, with heartland festivities held across various locations.

The GetActive! Singapore Heartland Festival will be co-organised with Sport Singapore, with five heartland celebration sites. They will be located at:

  • Bedok Stadium  (Aug 5 and 6)
  • Jurong West Stadium (Aug 5 and 6)
  • Toa Payoh Stadium (Aug 5 and 6)
  • Woodlands Stadium (Aug 5 and 6)
  • Our Tampines Hub (Aug 6)

This year’s lineup will feature family-friendly activities such as sports try-outs, as well as carnivals and live performances for more people to celebrate the nation’s birthday together.

The public will also be able to catch fireworks displays at each of the five sites on Aug 9 and witness the state flag and fighter jets flying through the heartlands.

OUTREACH EFFORTS

Two public engagement efforts will also be launched to promote volunteerism and strengthen Singaporeans’ commitment to the nation through various outreach activities.

The #GiveAsOneSG campaign seeks to raise awareness of volunteering and to encourage volunteer participation by partnering with non-profit organisations, schools and other organisations on meaningful activities where Singaporeans can give back to society.

The other #UniteAsOneSG campaign seeks to encourage Singaporeans to come together via physical and digital platforms to learn more about the country and NDP 2023, as well as to celebrate National Day together.

NDP 2023 THEME SONG

This year’s NDP theme song, titled Shine Your Light, has been composed by singer-songwriter Don Richmond, and co-written by Richmond and rapper ShiGGa Shay.

It will be performed by Singapore singers 53A, The Island Voices, lewloh, Olivia Ong, ShiGGa Shay, Iman Fandi and Lineath.

Mindef said: “Through this song, we hope to reaffirm the 'can-do' and 'go-getter' spirit of Singaporeans, to continue chasing your goals, overcoming adversities and helping others along the way.” 

Singaporeans are encouraged to join in the NDP 2023 campaign by publish videos and photographs, well-wishes, reflections or stories on their personal social media accounts using the hashtag #OnwardAsOneSG and #NDP2023.

Social media users may also tag the official NDP social media accounts on Facebook and InstagramMore information is available via the NDP social media accounts, YouTube channel as well as its official website at www.ndp.gov.sg.

The NDP 2023 executive committee also welcomes suggestions and feedback at ndp2023 [at] defence.gov.sg.

Related topics

Red Lions NDP Padang

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