WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE PARADE AND CEREMONY
More than 2,100 participants from diverse backgrounds will take part in this year's parade and ceremony.
A total of 35 marching contingents, including 24 from youth uniformed groups as well as social and economic organisations, will form the parade led by parade commander Lieutenant Colonel Roger Cheong Soon Yong.
Besides the usual contingents, this year's NDP will also feature the return of a contingent comprising volunteers from the SAF and Home Team. They will be making their first NDP appearance since 2019.
Sixteen supporting contingents – from the SAF, SPF and SCDF, as well as volunteer and youth uniformed groups – will move to create the characters "TD40" to commemorate 40 years of Total Defence, said the executive committee.
There will also be a choir music video featuring more than 130 students from nine school choirs, including seven special education schools.
Crowd favourites such as the Red Lions, state flag flypast and presidential gun salute will continue to be part of the NDP and will be broadcast live on television and internet platforms.
This year’s presidential gun salute will include four 25-pounder guns on the Mobility 3rd Generation raft that will sail around the Marina Basin.
The 21-gun salute is the highest military honour reserved only for the President and is timed to match his progress while inspecting the parade.
NDP 2024 will also feature an Onward March at the Padang for the first time, where marching contingents will march onto the spectator stand.
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