COME OUT AND CELEBRATE!

Didn't manage to get tickets to the National Day Parade (NDP)? Fret not!

With an impressive line-up of activities, you can still take part in the celebrations. Whatever your interests, you can be sure to find an activity that suits you.

Photography enthusiasts can visit the 'Singapore My Home' exhibition, book lovers can join the National Library Board's Reading Groups and discuss their perspectives and social experience through books, while nature lovers can head down to the Singapore Garden Festival.

This year also sees a number of activities that have been organised as part of the NDP celebrations for the first time:

K1 Race Finals and Carnival
Go-kart lovers, rejoice! On 26 and 27 Jul, you can experience the rush of go-karting down part of the F1 circuit for $10 per ride. International drivers will also impress with their drifting and stunt driving demonstrations. For more information, log on to www.csracing.com.sg

Singapore Garden Festival
Other than the iconic Merlion, another Singapore symbol is the elegant orchid. So, it's befitting that the Orchid Show will be one of the key highlights at the Singapore Garden Festival, held from 25 Jul to 1 Aug at the Suntec Convention Centre. The Orchid Society of Southeast Asia has introduced a National Day theme, 'Flights of Fancy - Orchids on National Day', for the school category competition.

Admission fees are $6 on weekdays and $12 on weekends, with half price concession tickets available for children, students and senior citizens. For more information, log on to www.singaporegardenfestival.com

Singapore Connect
Youths can connect with each other at the first 'Connect Singapore' event. This ambitious project aims to bring 30,000 youths together to hold hands and form the 'heart' of Singapore on 8 Aug. About 1800 students will hold hands and together with President S R Nathan, they will recite the National Pledge. For more information, log on to www.connectsg.org

Graffiti Art at the Esplanade-Theatres on The Bay
You have heard of caricatures. What about graffiti art caricatures? If you are curious, head down to the Esplanade on 26 and 27 Jul. Caricature artist Kamal Dollah will spray-paint your caricature onto a clear sticker that will be pasted on the glass panels at the Esplanade. Just in case you were wondering, the caricature can be viewed both ways. To find out more about the full list of celebrations at the Esplanade, log on to www.esplanade.com

Singapore My Home
A picture paints a thousand words. Judge for yourself if this is true by going to the 'Singapore My Home' exhibition to view the photo entries submitted by professional and amateur photographers on what they perceive to be the "Singapore Spirit". The exhibition will be held 15 to 30 Jul at the Central Lending Library, and from 1 to 17 Aug at the Marine Parade Library. For more details, log on to www.photovivo.com/ndp2008.htm

Heart Rock Concert - "Come Together"
This piece of news should be music to the ears of music-lovers. Join more than 15 celebrities, including the likes of Anita Sarawak, Cats in the Cradle and Eunice Olsen, for three hours of Beatles hits on 16 Aug. Tickets are priced at $10 for adults, and $5 for children below the age of 12. For more information, log on to www.readingplus.com.sg

For more information, go to www.ndp.org.sg

Join the cyberpioneer NDP 2008 contest to win tickets to the Parade Preview!