Month-long Chingay 2015 to mark SG50

To mar Singapore's golden jubilee, organisers say next year's Chingay festivities will be the biggest and grandest in the event's 42-year history.

The annual Chinese New Year processions will last for a month for the first time, stretching from Feb 27 to March 28, and visit more heartland areas than ever before.

Some 11,000 performers from 150 organisations will take part in the street parade - which will have a "We love SG" theme - up from the usual 8,000 from 120 organisations.

Around 760 performers will come from overseas while 500,000 Singaporeans and households here will contribute by making a million flowers out of recycled plastic bags.

These will line the 360m procession route outside the F1 Pit Building - complementing the floral costumes worn by performers.

Organised by the People's Association (PA), Chingay is celebrated by all races, and preparations for next year's event began back in April. Mr Nah Juay Hng, who chairs the Chingay 2015 executive committee, said it will be a "parade of hearts" in which Singaporeans can express their love and best wishes for the Republic.

Besides the main show at the F1 Pit Building on Feb 27 and 28, there will also be a youth street party in Orchard Road on March 1.

PA chief executive director Ang Hak Seng said the main event will be taken to "people's doorsteps", with the colourful floats visiting five heartland areas - Ang Mo Kio, Marine Parade, Bukit Panjang town, West Coast and Nee Soon.

The parades will cover more than 100km and nearly a third of Singapore. "It is a gift from our people to our country," Mr Ang said. "It is also a birthday present from many countries and cities to Singapore as we celebrate SG50."

Tickets range from $28.50 to $60 and will go on sale today.

jermync@sph.com.sg

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