The American Club Magazine - Fall 2021

FEATURE

The 2010s saw more women par ticipate in key performances during the parade. In 2011, the parade got its first female regimental sergeant major – Master Warrant Officer Jennifer Tan. In 2014, Third Warrant Officer Shir ley Ng becomes the first female Red Lion parachutist to perform an NDP celebration. NDP 2015 was one of the grandest parades to date, as the nation celebrated its 50th bir thday. The golden jubilee saw year-long celebrations nation-wide, which was termed SG50. In 2016, the parade was held for the first time at the Spor ts Hub, which took over the site of the old National Stadium. The show saw the use of high-tech props brought to life by 3D projection mapping. In 2019, the nation celebrated the Singapore Bicentennial, marking the 200th anniversar y of the arrival of the British in Singapore, which set in motion the countr y’s development into a trading por t and modern global city. In 2020, Singapore celebrated its 55th bir thday with no live audience, for the first time ever. Instead, the parade was livestreamed and celebrations were spread across the island. A salute at the scaled-down parade held at the iconic Padang was dedicated to all frontline and essential workers who have helped Singapore in its battle against COVID-19. This year’s NDP may see some semblance to last year’s – a smaller-scaled parade, fly-pasts in the hear tlands, home engagement activities, live-streamed performances and fireworks across the island. Regardless the size of the celebration, NDP 2021 will ser ve as an unyielding reminder that Singapore will keep going.

Parade Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Jennifer Tan at NDP 2011

Fighter jets forming the number 50 during the NDP 2015 fly-past

Interior view of Singapore Sports Hub

NDP 2020 mobile column display at the heartlands of Singapore

20 THE AMERICAN CLUB SINGAPORE