55,000 turn up for National Day Parade preview show
It was a sea of red at the National Stadium as thousands turned up for the National Day Parade preview show.
Nearly all the 55,000 spectators who turned up for the preview on Saturday were decked out in red.
The sun was glaring but they came all equipped, carrying umbrellas as shields.
Hand-held fans and caps were provided for in the National Day Parade fun packs given out to the spectators.
"When I come to the National Day Parade, I'm supposed to bring hats, umbrella, tissue papers, plastic bags," said a little girl.
"When we come to the National Day Parade, the things that we must bring are water, our electric fan, and our big smile for the day!" said a woman.
"Of course, their milk, their diapers, all the necessities to dress them," said a Malay woman who was bottle-feeding her toddler.
"The most important thing that you can bring to the parade is your family, the togetherness to celebrate the birthday of the country," said a man, who was with his wife and two kids.
Behind the scene are the commentators for the show.
Channel NewsAsia's Cheryl Fox is doing it for the first time while MediaCorp Radio's Bernard Lim has been doing it for the past four years.
Adding a special touch to this year's celebrations is the fact that this is the last time the National Day Parade will be held at the National Stadium.
Bernard said: "A lot of feelings for the stadium, not just for the National Day Parade but the many other sporting activities, concerts etc. But for the parade itself, it's my third time commentating from the National Stadium. It's kind of sad to see the grand old lady torn down after this big party. The biggest thrill for me is to feel the energy in the stadium. I still get goose bumps when the Chinook helicopter carrying the national flag flies across during the singing of the National Anthem."
Cheryl said: "It's been a huge learning experience. I've had experience being a performer in a parade, being in the stands watching it. But when you're doing commentary, it's a whole different ball game, especially when you have to sit down and script according to each and every segment that makes up the whole parade."
Their commentaries can be heard during the live broadcast of NDP 2006 on Channel 5 on 9 August. - CNA/ir
sorry got to remove the pic with 2 flag
lol i harecare 1 too lazy too 
