A GIANT replica of The Float @ Marina Bay made entirely of Lego bricks is part of efforts to engage Singaporeans for the National Day celebrations this year.
Sited at Orchard Road's *Scape youth hangout, the structure is being built by more than 500 volunteers. It is expected to be completed by next Friday.
For $5, visitors can place a Lego figurine on the model grandstand, and take a second figurine home.
The event hopes to raise $300,000 for The Straits Times School Pocket Money Fund.
Colonel Lim Siong Tiong, who is this year's National Day Parade chairman of engagement, said that the celebrations this year will be more participatory than previous years'.
'This year's celebration will be very different. We will not wait till the 9th of August for Singaporeans to start our celebrations.'
Besides the Lego model, another activity is the InstagramSG photo contest. More than 1,000 photos have been submitted by the public since the contest started in late March, Colonel Lim said.
More than 700 people have also taken part in the first LovingSG Trails since it was launched two weeks ago to encourage Singaporeans to visit national heritage sites.
Meanwhile, NDPOnTheGo, a mobile app that provides information on the trails and the parade, has been downloaded more than 12,500 times since it was launched this month.
Another activity launched yesterday was a call for the public to submit videos of themselves singing the National Anthem online.
The video clips will be compiled into a virtual 'choir' by Singapore Symphony Orchestra conductor Darrell Ang and film-maker Royston Tan.
The public can also record their clips at roadshows that will be visiting malls across the island in June and July.
'The important thing about this project is that it gives air-time to Singaporeans both here as well as overseas,' said Mr Tan. 'The National Day Parade is not just confined to the performers or the 'live' audience.'
Madam Yow Chay Kwai, 69, a volunteer who was helping to organise the Lego figurines at *Scape yesterday, said that participating in the event was a good way to exercise her hands and mind.
She is a resident of the AWWA Community Home for Senior Citizens.
'It's not boring, it helps me get the blood circulating,' said the retiree.
