Front row seats around Marina Bay for ticketless NDP 2011 spectators; Resorts World Sentosa to roll-out National Day perks & special fireworks show

Good shot: Spectators' view of the Presidential Gun Salute (PGS) 25-pounder guns, seen from the Merlion Park. Five guns will fire 21-rounds as President S.R. Nathan reviews the parade during his last appearance as Singapore's President.(Picture courtesy of xtemujin)

Can't get your hands on one of the 25,000 National Day Parade 2011 spectator tickets?

Then head down to Marina Bay or Resorts World Sentosa to soak in celebrations as Singapore marks its 46th National Day on 9 August 2011. Ticketless spectators can still be part of the NDP action as they can catch the NDP action unfold around Marina Bay from vantage points such as the Merlion Park and promenade near the Esplanade.

However hot the action is, keep in mind 8:10pm as the Pledge Moment and reflect upon why we celebrate National Day.

Lieutenant Colonel Tong Yi Chuen, Chairman of the Branding & Publicity Committee for NDP 2011, said:“Wherever you may be at approximately 8:10pm this National Day, we hope you will join the rest of Singapore in this shared emotive experience of reciting our Pledge and singing the National Anthem together as One People.”

This year, join the Pledge Moment Competition by submitting your YouTube clip of your Pledge Moment. Details can be found here.

In the lead up to 8:10pm, NDP 2011 should whip up the celebratory mode in the real and virtual world. Some 100,000 spectators are expected around Marina Bay and the "live" telecast of the parde should attract millions of eyeballs in Singapore and elsewhere as people catch the action on TV and on the internet.

The Marina Bay area which overlooks the NDP 2011 show venue will bring spectators as close to show centre as they can get without a ticket. Look skyward at around 6:28pm* and try to spot the Republic of Singapore Air Force Super Puma deploy a stick of crack Red Lions parachute display team from the Singapore Army's Commando unit thousands of feet above the bay.

From 6:35pm, expect to see air force helicopters, naval and Police Coast Guard fast craft strut their stuff as part of the Dynamic Defence Display (D3).

Timed to take place from 6:35pm, the D3 show includes an air-sea segment titled "Defending Our Shores". This show item will see a S-70B Seahawk make its NDP debut (6:43pm) and a CH-47D Chinook heavy lift helicopter swoop low over Marina Bay to drop a team of navy divers from the Naval Diving Unit into the water (6:45pm).

Bayside spectators will also see the flypast by a flag-carrying Chinook escorted by a pair of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters (7:03pm) as the choppers snake their way down the Singapore River towards the Float, the NDP venue. This will be followed a minute later by a flypast by five F-15SG Strike Eagles. The jets will roar in from the sea in wedge formation on a south-north flight path.

The fireworks - an all-time crowd favourite - and special laser show (7:56pm) on skyscrapers around Marina Bay, will also be visible to people around the bay. The main barrage of fireworks is set to be launched around 8:05pm. Hang around for the post-parade party as yet more fireworks will be discharged. Shutterbugs should bring a tripod and read up on their digicam's fireworks setting to get the best results.

If you want to catch a special fireworks show away from the Marina Bay crowds, consider heading to Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) to watch NDP 2011 televised "live" on a giant screen. Singapore's first Integrated Resort will also entertain guests with a special fireworks display put together for NDP.

RWS has another perk for NDP 2011. The resort will grant free entry on National Day to 5,000 Singaporeans aged 65 years old and above to the Universal Studios Singapore theme park.(Tickets can be redeemed in person at USS ticket booths from 1 to 5 Aug'11, and on 9 Aug'11. There will be a cap of 5,000 free admission passes for senior citizens aged 65 years and above.) 

RWS spokesman Robin Goh said:"RWS is proud to call Singapore home and this year, we show our appreciation to the pioneers who have shaped Singapopre's society during the nation-building years.

"Besides free entry to Universal Studios Singapore for senior citizens on National Day, guests to the resort can also soak in the spirit of celebration amidst a patriotic atmosphere in red and white, which complements a series of National Day-themed events and festivities across the resort. This includes a live-screening of the National Day Parade as well as a special National Day fireworks display."

Lieutenant Colonel Kennedy Lim Kee Khan, Chairman of the Outreach Management and Celebrations Committee, said:"Be it singing the National Anthem, reciting our Pledge, watching the dazzling fireworks or simply enjoying the electrifying atmosphere at the various Celebration hotspots, we hope that Singaporeans of all ages can come down to Marina Bay waterfront and RWS on 9 August 2011 for an extraordinary experience as we mark our nation's 46th birthday with a bang."

* Timings are based on the cue table for NE1. The actual timings on 9 Aug'11 may vary but shouldn't deviate by more than a couple of minutes.

Note to photographers: The Helix Bridge will be closed during parade rehearsals and for the National Day Parade as it will be used by the Guard-of-Honour contingents during the Pledge Moment. The Esplanade Bridge will not be accessible to photographers as it will be covered with hoardings. Do recce the site in advance and pick your spot early.