SINGAPORE - Those who did not snag tickets to the National Day Parade on Saturday were raring to be part of the action nonetheless.

By about 3pm, hundreds of Singaporeans and tourists had streamed into areas surrounding the Marina Bay floating platform with cameras, picnic mats and home-cooked food in a bid to catch a glimpse of the festivities.

"We usually watch the parade on TV and catch the fireworks from our home in Woodlands, but this year we wanted to show the kids what National Day is all about," said administrator Natra Zainuddin, 25, who started camping out in front of the Merlion at about 1pm with her mother, husband, three children and four other family members.

Sitting in front of One Fullerton around the corner, best friends Ms Geraldine Soh and Ms Suzanna Arpaeh tucked into homemade spaghetti and chicken wings while waiting for the parade to begin.

"I come here every year, this is my port," joked Ms Arpaeh, a 29-year-old nurse who had also brought along her boyfriend and four children. She added: "It's a very good view and it's more cooling by the water."