NDP 2021 is Being Prepared to Be Held at Marina Bay Floating Platform

Since 2007, our National Day Parade (NDP) has been held at the Marina Bay Floating Platform nine times.

Initially constructed as a temporary NDP venue while the new National Stadium was under construction, the venue has come to be associated with our annual independence celebrations.

The Float was supposed to host the 2020 and 2021 NDP, but this little virus—I’m not sure if you’ve heard of it?—called COVID-19 emerged and made it dangerous to host the event there.

In the end, NDP 2020 was unlike any other, as it had no central location. It had a morning parade at the Padang and an evening show at Star Vista, and much fewer participants than usual.

This year, however, things may be a little different.

NDP 2021 is Being Prepared to Be Held at Marina Bay Floating Platform

This year’s NDP may be held at the Marina Bay floating platform after all, as the authorities are making preparations to host the even there.

According to The Straits Times, the Ministry of Defence called five tenders between February and last month for goods and services related to NDP 2021.

This included a tender for the rental of rainfall special effects for the parade at an “outdoor venue”.

The description of this outdoor venue states that it “moves vertically in water with the changing water level” and measures 120m by 83m.

However, these services cannot fully be provided yet due to the evolving virus situation.

Last year, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the 2021 NDP would be held at the floating platform if the COVID-19 situation was under control.

A few weeks ago, this would be out of the question, but as PM Lee said recently, Singapore is on track to control its recent community outbreak.

When The Straits Times visited the floating platform last week, a sign that said maintenance was in progress from 26 April to 3 July was put up.

What’s more, two giant screens, along with a stage, were being set up on the float. The two screens were similar to what was seen during the last NDP at the floating platform.

Current Restrictions Have to Be Eased First

As for how many attendees will be allowed at the event, no one knows. 

One thing’s for sure, though: unless the current tightened restrictions are relaxed, fewer attendees will be allowed to attend the parade.

This is because the current restrictions mandate that live performances should be deferred.

Moreover, since 16 May, only up to 100 attendees have been permitted at shows with pre-event testing, and 50 without.

So, if the number of community cases doesn’t continue its declining trend, our NDP may not be held at the The Float after all.

Feature Image: joyfull / Shutterstock.com