Members of vintage parade march to applause from the crowd

Singapore Girls go by in their kebayas. ST PHOTO: AMELIA TENG
Cameras whipped out to catch the A380 fly past. ST PHOTO: SAMANTHA BOH

SINGAPORE - It was a throwback to the early days of Singapore's independence as members of the vintage parade filed past - policemen in khaki shorts, firemen in olive-green uniforms, and ladies from the People's Association in knee-high socks.

The parade featured 450 participants in nine contingents, representing different sectors such as health, finance, and aviation.

As the Singapore Girls in their iconic kebayas rolled past in trishaws, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) Airbus 380 soared overhead, decked out in a special livery of red and white.

This is the first time that any SIA craft has taken part in the National Day flypast and parade-goers were quick to whip out their cameras for a shot of the rare moment.

From the applause, it seemed the pioneers from the SAF contingent were a crowd favourite.

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"The parade is phenomenal. It's been very nostalgic especially when the veterans marched past during the vintage parade. The fact that they are still willing to come and march despite their age shows their immense love for Singapore," said S. Surrenthiran, 19, a Poly student, who was with his friend and fellow student Sherman Mark Joseph, 19, at the parade.

Project manager Michael Tong, 51, who walked 30 mins from Marina Square with his family to get to the barrage, said, "Everywhere was full, but we felt we had to be here with the crowds to be a part of it" .

He is here with his daughter Gabrielle, 18; and wife Jacqueline, 50.

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