Firework extravaganza to usher in new year

The crowd cheering as the fireworks explode above Marina Bay Sands on Dec 31, 2014. PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE - Count down to the end of Singapore's 50th year with a blast.

Organisers of the 2016 New Year countdown at Marina Bay are preparing an eight-minute long firework extravaganza that will stretch across the length of Marina Bay.

Close to 4,000 shots will be launched into the night sky from 35 different locations, where they will explode at varying heights.

Fireworks have been a regular feature at the Marina Bay countdown party, but this is the first time that it will be done on such complexity and scale.

Last year, only 2,200 shells were fired.

Jointly organised by the Esplanade - Theatres by the Bay and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the countdown will also feature a 3D projection mapping display on the facade of The Fullerton Hotel.

This is the second time that the 3D display is being done - it was one of the highlights of last year's countdown party.

This year's display will feature local heritage icons such as Peranakan shophouses.

The public can enjoy a five-minute preview of the 3D display every hour from 8.15pm to 11.15pm from Dec 26 to 30.

On New Year's Eve, the display will start at 8pm and then repeat at the start of every hour until 11pm. The final show will start at 11.55pm, and will culminate in a countdown sequence.

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