SPIRITS HIGH DESPITE DOWNPOUR

People brave the rain to be part of extended celebrations at Marina Bay and the Padang

Faces lit with excitement, streams of people dressed in red and white were greeted by live music and cheers as they walked into 2024's extended National Day Parade (NDP) celebrations on Aug 9.

With the sun reflecting off the bay, attendees at The Promontory @Marina Bay held their umbrellas and wore sunglasses, singing along to covers by a cappella group [Placeholder], not allowing the heat to dull their excitement.

Then at about 4.45pm, heavy rain fell over The Promontory @ Marina Bay and the Padang. However, most of the attendees braved the rain under their umbrellas, in anticipation of the parade.

The celebrations at the Padang kicked off at about 5.30pm.

About 27,000 spectators were at the Padang, where the main celebrations took place.

Mr Dinesh Kummaran, 43, who was attending the parade with eight other friends and family members, said they were caught off guard by the downpour at about 4.50pm.

Speaking to The Straits Times outside the parade venue as the rain continued to pour, Mr Dinesh, who works in tech sales, said: "We are very concerned that we will not get the full experience of the parade." The group ended up using the ponchos in the NDP funpacks as they did not have umbrellas.

"We were too optimistic that it wouldn't rain. But we cannot let it dampen our spirits," Mr Dinesh added.

An estimated 7,500 people gathered at The Promontory @ Marina Bay, with official festivities spilling over to the open space near the Marina Bay Financial Centre for the first time.

Spirits remained high as attendees put on pink and transparent ponchos, unfazed by the rain.

Primary school teachers Lai HuiRu, 25, and Yeoh Eng Yue, 24, stayed at their spot even as the rain poured down and drenched their clothes.

"We have umbrellas, so we will wait here until we get to see the fireworks," said Ms Lai, adding that that was what she was most looking forward to.