Spectators at this year's Chingay parade can look out for a performance by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development Lee Yi Shyan to kick-start the event.

Together with three other vocalists, Mr Lee will sing the opening song of the parade entitled "Paint with One Heart".

On Saturday evening, Mr Lee, who is also the grassroots adviser to Kampung Chai Chee Grassroots Organisations, joined some other 7,500 performers for the parade's first full-dress rehearsal held at the F1 Pit Building.

Dressed in a shimmery suit and bowtie, he said: "This is an event celebrated by Singaporeans from all walks of life. I saw many of my grassroots (members) and residents joining in, so I thought it'd be fun."

This year will also mark the first time that more than 2,400 caregivers, including volunteers and nurses from community hospitals, hospices and voluntary welfare organisations have been invited to watch the parade under the Chair for a Cause initiative.

Chair for a Cause is a ticket donation scheme which was first mooted during Chingay 2011. By rallying well-wishers to raise funds and make donations, it also hopes to provide tickets for the lonely aged, low-income families, residents of welfare homes so that they may watch the parade for free. This year's target is to raise $250,000 to extend this opportunity to 10,000 beneficiaries, up from 5,500 beneficiaries last year.