By Joanne Chan, Channel NewsAsia, 25 Apr 2012
This year's National Day Parade (NDP) hopes to be a time for Singaporeans to reflect on their love for the country, with the theme "Loving Singapore, Our Home".
And this year's organisers hope to get Singaporeans to express their love for the country, through video or photo contests.
The man tasked with running the parade smoothly certainly knows the theme well.
The parade's executive committee chairman, Colonel Desmond Tan, said: "From the smallest thing like having a nice breakfast with my family, to the moments I stepped down from a long flight and coming home to Changi Airport, these are the moments I cherish.
"But most of all, Singapore is where I'm born, and where I grew up and where I lived out my dreams and this is where my family and friends are."
Singapore's 47th birthday celebration promises to be a visual treat, bringing back old favourites, such as the combined school choir, last seen two years ago.
Other crowd favourites include the marching contingents, the flag fly-past and the Red Lions freefall display.
The parade will also feature a salute to 45 years of National Service.
More than 2,000 parade participants will march forward in unison accompanied by nine fighter jets executing a fly-past - the largest display of fighter jets in the parade's history.
There will also be a sea salute from the Singapore navy.
Meanwhile, the logo for NDP 2012 was unveiled on Wednesday.
Known as the "Orchidstar", the logo was inspired by Singapore's national flower, the "Vanda Miss Joaquim" orchid.
Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts lecturer and NDP logo designer Tan Ah Khim said: "Orchids, to me, is very 'home'.
"And orchids to me, everyone knows it's very 'Singapore', and 'loving', you can't possibly miss the hearts. So [with] the hearts and the orchids, I came [up] with the 'Orchidstar' logo."
In the run up to 9 August, a series of road shows, competitions and activities will be held to engage Singaporeans.
In the run up to 9 August, a series of road shows, competitions and activities will be held to engage Singaporeans.
Singaporeans can also participate in the "LovingSG Trail", a mobile app that will take users to various locations around Singapore.
For example, the "Heritage" trail will provide clues and maps to 10 iconic buildings and locations. When you find the right place, the NDP logo will appear on the screen of your smartphone or tablet. Take a picture and upload it on the NDP Facebook page.
There will be lucky draws for participants who complete the trails.
The "LovingSG Trail" is part of the NDPOnTheGo mobile app, that can be downloaded from the Apple or Android app store. It will go live from 4 May.
Other social media efforts include the Instagram app, which allows users to take pictures based on themes such as their favourite hangout or location at home, and upload them on the Internet. Winning entries will be shown during the pre-parade segment.
Singaporeans can also express their love by giving to charity, through the "building a Loving SG" project.
A model of the Marina Bay Floating Platform will be created from Lego bricks. Participants can donate money to be a part of the project.
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