This year's National Day Parade (NDP) funpack is geared to the future - with an LED wristband that can be synchronised with the show, and a booklet embedded with digital content.
The goodie bag, an NDP staple since 1991, is made of translucent plastic for the first time, in the national colours of red and white.
Waterproof and lightweight, the bag has multiple straps so it can be carried as both a sling bag and haversack. It also comes with an attached cover for those who prefer its contents not be seen.
St Joseph's Institution student Mitchell Peh, 14, said he would carry the bag even after the parade. "I like that it's see-through. It looks cool - something that teenagers would use," he said.
Some 300,000 funpacks will be packed by soldiers from the middle of this month.
To facilitate smooth entry into the National Stadium, this year's parade venue, the bags will be placed at seats instead of collection points, the organisers said yesterday.
Among the highlights of the 18-item pack are interactive objects such as the LED wristband, wirelessly programmed to blink in tandem with the show's lights and sounds, and capable of emitting lights of varying intensity in 16 colours and four modes.
Another highlight is the souvenir booklet, which can activate the free NDPeeps App on mobile devices. Using the app, parade-goers can access images and videos through its augmented reality function.
For instance, a user can view a 3D time-lapse video of the National Stadium's evolution on his phone by aiming its camera at a picture of the domed arena in the magazine.
Military Expert 6 Benny Yong, 39, parade chairman for logistics and finance, said the funpack's futuristic feel is in line with the NDP theme of Building Our Singapore Of Tomorrow.
Referring to the LED wristband, he said: "By leveraging technology, we are able to involve Singaporeans in the show as they collectively play a role in creating massive visual displays. This essentially breaks the barrier between them and the stage, thus providing a truly immersive experience."
Other funpack items include a luggage tag, a flip fan, stick-on tattoos, snacks, a Singapore scarf and a discount booklet.
Singapore's birthday bash this year will mark a return to the National Stadium after 10 years.
There, a mural combining over 50,000 paintings by students and young people, and abstract designs by Singaporean artist Sun Yu-Li, will go on display from July 23 till National Day on Aug 9. The digitally stitched piece represents the collective dreams and aspirations of Singaporeans. Users of the NDPeeps App can point their mobile devices at the mural to access augmented reality content, such as images and sounds from previous NDPs.
During the two preview shows and on Aug 9, a card with artwork depicting scenes from Singapore's past, present and imagined future by actor Edmund Chen and special needs students from Pathlight School will be distributed to the public at the parade venue.
The public is encouraged to pen a pledge to Singapore on the card and share it on social media. An electronic version of the pledge card will be available on the NDPeeps App from July 7.
VIDEO: See what is in this year's funpack at http://str.sg/43bD
