SINGAPORE - About 100 families living in the Kembangan-Chai Chee area spent their Saturday at a carnival that featured a magic show and other performances as full-scale New Year’s Eve community events made a return.
The event held at the Kampong Kembangan Community Club was organised for low-income families living in the area and with children below 21 years old. Participants could also register their interest for new mattresses.
Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament and an MP for Marine Parade GRC, said at the event that nothing beats being able to physically get together after more than two years of Covid-19 restrictions. He added that this could be done confidently because of Singapore’s high vaccination rate.
He also said that as people celebrate New Year’s Eve differently, it is important to provide the community with different ways to commemorate the occasion. The carnival is organised by The Alphabet Project, a movement under Hope Initiative Alliance, and is supported by the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Social Service Office @ Bedok and other organisations.
He said: “We encourage residents to celebrate and, importantly, to reflect, to be thankful for what we have.”
Also on Saturday, the People’s Association grassroots organisations are holding over 20 community celebrations across the island.
Over 70,000 people are expected to attend these events that are making a return to the heartland after the Covid-19 pandemic hit.
The One Punggol community hub, for instance, is hosting its first countdown party for residents, featuring activities like a movie marathon, fitness workouts and face painting.
About 10,000 people were expected to attend the celebration, which includes a fireworks display staged across One Punggol at the Waterway Park.
There will also be fireworks at the celebrations in Boon Lay, which 30,000 residents are expected to attend.
ActiveSG and River Valley High School are running sports try-outs and games booths at the Boon Lay carnival to promote healthier living.
Correction note: This article has been edited for accuracy.
