Party-goers put economic woes aside to ring in 2009
By
Maria Almenoar & Ang Yiying
Traffic came to a standstill on the Benjamin Sheares Bridge as motorists stopped to watch the eight-minute-long New Year fireworks show in Marina Bay. It was wet and wild as party-goers in Boon Lay Place celebrated the start of the new year with a foam party. More than 25,000 residents turned up for a night market-style New Year countdown. -- ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN ST PHOTO: MUGILAN RAJASEGERAN
THE gloomy economy, impending retrenchments and belt-tightening were consigned to the back of party-goers' minds as the new year was ushered in with friends and family yesterday.
While some people rang in the new year at home, countdown parties rocked at The Float@Marina Bay, The Jewel Box on Mount Faber and on Siloso Beach in Sentosa. The spirit was no less exuberant at the nightspots in Clarke Quay, Dempsey Road and at Zouk.
About 250,000 party-goers gathered in the Marina Bay area to catch the fireworks. Crowds lined the Esplanade bridge and the edge of the Singapore River near the Merlion and Esplanade.
In the suburbs, street parties organised in 27 heartland locations by grassroots groups also drew crowds of merry-makers.
In Boon Lay, more than 25,000 residents turned up for a pasar malam, or night market-style, New Year countdown. Thirty food and game stalls lined the streets; even household items were being sold. Stage performances, a foam party and a street parade with fire-eaters and a motorcade of Subaru cars entertained the residents, loyal supporters of an event which was into its sixth year.
Madam Zanariah Ismail, 40, an administrator in her family's human-resource business, who was there with 10 of her family members, said: 'We don't have to spend on transport and worry about how to get home after the party. Business could be better for us, but why worry tonight? Just enjoy.'
At the amphitheatre of the temporarily shut Singapore Flyer, four gospel bands played songs with a message of hope for the new year.
The concert was organised jointly by Singapore Flyer tenant Love the World Bistro Bar and the Flyer's management to pull in the crowds, though the Flyer has yet to be reopened following its Dec 23 breakdown.
The head of finance at the bistro, Mrs Kee Chin Fah, said: 'People think everything is closed, so we have to spread the word that it's business as usual here.'
The word was spread all right. As a prime spot for watching the eight-minute-long fireworks show, 5,000 merry-makers turned up and stayed out till late, even with the wheel out of action.
Another 10,000 people welcomed the new year at the Marina Barrage, which opened just two months ago and was holding a day-long New Year's Eve countdown.
On the breezy rooftop of the city reservoir's building complex, groups of families and friends and courting couples sat on the grass and enjoyed an aerial view of the Shenton Way and Marina Bay skyline and the fireworks.
Some turned up with foldable picnic tables and mats; a few were spotted flying kites from the rooftop before sunset.
Systems analyst R.Z. Norman, 42, was there with her family from 2pm till past midnight. Recalling that she had stayed home for the past two New Year's Eves because of work, she said: 'After working so hard, this is a really good break.'
And out on the waters of the Singapore River, 10,000 lighted white balls - 'wishing spheres' - floated, reflecting the red, green and yellow hues of the fireworks that lit up the sky at midnight. Many of the wishes penned by members of the public on the spheres would no doubt have asked for a happy and better 2009.
