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What's National Day without the usual National Day Parade (NDP)?

For the first time in history, Singapore marked its National Day with a ceremonial parade, rather than a live show with tickets up for grabs via public ballot.

Each year before 2020, people in Singapore would have had the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the parade — and the dazzling fireworks at the end — from various popular spots in the Marina Bay area, such as Merlion Park, the Esplanade, and The Promontory near Marina Bay Sands.

"We were one of those suckers"

"We were one of those suckers lah. Park somewhere, then walk very far," said 40-year-old H, who shared that he used to head down to the city centre with his family every August 9.

H and family had planned to go cycling after watching the ceremonial parade on TV, but hadn't decided on the location.

It was only while tuning in to the parade that H and his wife had the idea to head down to town, as they felt that it would be appropriate to be in the Marina Bay area for National Day.

"We just felt, 'we have to be there!'" recalled H.

And so, the family loaded their bicycles and drove down to Marina Barrage, where they commenced their cycling expedition around the city.

Given that H and family would typically head down to catch the National Day fireworks before Covid, this year was quite a different experience for them.

Something missing this National Day was a sense of "National Day spirit", H's wife observed.

"[Normally] you see everybody in the stadium or wherever, that's what's missing this year."

H's 10-year-old daughter echoed her mother's sentiments, ruefully pointing out that her school's National Day celebration was "not as grand as other times".

Her brother, 8, nodded in agreement.

"I think for them, they want a bit more celebration," explained H.

At least one thing didn't change for the family, however: Wearing red.

"It's a must lah," said H.

H said that come August 21, the family will be tuning in to the postponed parade on TV.

"Unless we go for a cycle again?" asked H's wife playfully, to collective groans from the two children.

"We just wanted to feel the spirit"

"People are in a very celebrative mood," observed M chirpily.

Like H, the 39-year-old IT professional and his family had the idea of heading to town in line with their own family tradition.

Just as in previous years, they took the MRT to Clarke Quay station and followed the Singapore River, walking down past the Asian Civilisations Museum and Parliament House.

Their plan for the day? "Just a walk, to free up your mind from work," said M, who shared that he'd gotten quite tired of working from home over the past months.

Just within an hour of starting their walk, the family was already pleased with the weather ("We took a lot of photos! Blue skies today!"), and the fact that unlike their previous visits, the Merlion wasn't under renovation this time.

From Esplanade Park, the family planned to go past the The Float @ Marina Bay, across the Helix Bridge, past Marina Bay Sands, and make a loop around the bay to end off at Merlion Park.

“I’m here to just check out the places over here. Like maybe finding the ferris wheel, or seeing the heart of Singapore," their eight-year-old chimed in.

"People are so used to coming here every NDP... Although we know that the celebration is postponed a week later, we just wanted to feel the spirit," said M's wife with a chuckle.

"More of family time for us," M added.

In light of the unstable Covid-19 situation throughout most of this year, M said he had "not much expectations" of what would happen on National Day.

But Singapore has crossed "a lot of big milestones" in terms of getting its population vaccinated and ready for the next step, M noted.

He shared that he is very much looking forward to working from his office in the Central Business District again, pointing out that the livelihoods of many hawkers there have been affected, even while workers like him long to return.

M's hope: "When [work-from-office] comes back, it becomes vibrant and lively again."

"Just a different form of celebration"

Compared to previous National Days, perhaps the most significant difference for 34-year-old B and his wife was the fact that this year, they were celebrating as a family of three for the first time.

B and family were all decked out for some National Day family photos — even the socks on his eight-month-old daughter were red and white.

“Got nice backdrop, especially at this hour with good lighting," said B.

Free parking at the Esplanade's carpark didn't hurt too.

The lack of a parade wasn't a problem at all for the family.

In fact, had there been a parade, B and his family would not have wanted to brave the crowds, given the current Covid-19 situation.

Neither did they frequent the Marina Bay area in previous years:

"I always have a friends' gathering. Normally on the actual day, we will watch the fireworks and have a good dinner together."

"But it has not happened for the past two years," B mused.

He noted that another thing missing this year was the fact that "there’s significantly fewer people wearing red and white".

Preparing for their day out about a week ago, B also observed that fewer shops were selling National Day clothes.

"I think the celebration is not really full-blown, so the retailers also find that there's not much profit from it."

How did B feel about National Day without a parade?

"I think it’s just a different form of celebration. I think how we feel for the country, the love for country remains ah," he said.

"Hopefully next year no more Covid-19"

G, 36, a manager in the hospitality industry, didn't have plans to visit the Marina Bay area initially.

She and her husband had planned to walk around East Coast Park, but found that it was too crowded to even find a parking space, and decided to head into the city instead.

The couple used to spend National Day at home, before the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We usually hang out with family and friends, but right now it's like you can't meet up with anyone, so it's just like, two of us."

G's husband noted that in contrast to previous years, the Marina Bay area was relatively quiet — a sentiment echoed by G as well:

"So much difference... it's quieter. National Day was never moved, [but this year it's been moved] to August 21 right? It's the very first time."

G laughed as she admitted that she actually missed "all those big crowds".

"Hopefully next year no more Covid-19, and we can freely enjoy National Day like we used to."

Top image by Nigel Chua.

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