[Event] Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2019 - Bay of Hopes & Dreams

As the year draws to an end, Marina Bay and the Civic District are once again all set to host an exciting line-up of events and activities for all ages and interests. Celebrate in the City, Marina Bay's festive line-up of year-end activities, will conclude on a high note with the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2019, bringing everyone together to usher in the New Year right in the heart of the city. 

Image credit to Marina Bay Singapore Countdown website

MARINA BAY LIGHTS UP WITH HOPES AND DREAMS

Be dazzled by the colourful light projections on the facades of the key landmarks in the precinct - The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, ArtScience Museum and the Merlion. These projections will feature artworks created by students and beneficiaries of local schools and welfare organisations, as part of the Build a Dream initiative, presented by the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2019 in partnership with the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), to support the less fortunate in fulfilling their dreams and personal development. Do check out the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown website to find out more details about how to donate to the respective welfare organisations and schools.

From 26th to 31st  December, the facade of The Fullerton Hotel Singapore will be illuminated with artworks by the beneficiaries of the Association for Persons with Special Needs (APSN) and the Metta Welfare Association (Metta). The projection shows will run at a 15-minute intervals between 8pm to 10.30pm from 26 to 30 December 2018, and between 8pm to 11.30pm on New Year's Eve. 

From 29th to 31st December, the light projection shows at the ArtScience Museum are adapted from artworks by beneficiaries of AWWA and the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS) and the show will run between 8.15pm and 10.30pm.

From 29th to 30th December, the Merlion will feature artworks created by students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and the show will run between 8pm and 10.30pm from 29 to 30 December 2018 and between 8pm and 11.30pm on New Year's Eve.

I attended the preview of the light projection and before we went on the boat ride, we were given a briefing by Mr Jason Chen, director of place management at the Urban Redevelopment Authority, who gave us a presentation of the countdown events happening. 

PARTY AT MARINA BAY ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

On New Year's Eve, visitors to the Marina Bay can expects an array of activities and programmes beside the light projection shows from early evening that will culminate in to a spectacular seven-minute fireworks display at midnight.

1) Over at The Float @ Marina Bay, the STAR ISLAND Singapore Countdown Edition, a multi-sensory fireworks musical by Avex Asia, will wow the audience with an hour of performance acts by Taiko drummers, dancers, fire performers and more. The action packed stage will be synchronised to a combination of dazzling fireworks, pyrotechnics, lights and 3D surround sound.

2) Try out modern local gastronomical delights at the Food Truck Fest at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza.

3) Indulge in thrilling rides and exciting games at the Prudential Marina Bay Carnival at the Bayfront Event Space.

4) Enjoy live performances at Mediacorp's Let's Celebrate 2019 countdown concert at The Promontory.

5) Catch performances at Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay's series of free programmes, Esplanade Presents Come Together.

RINGING IN THE NEW YEAR AT THE CAR-FREE CIVIC DISTRICT

Car-Free New Year’s Eve (NYE) will transform the Civic District area into a bustling activity hub with a myriad of programmes for the public to enjoy. From 4pm on 31 December, St Andrew’s Road, part of Fullerton Road, the stretch of Connaught Drive between Esplanade Park and The Padang will be closed to traffic, enabling the public to enjoy the activities in car-free comfort.

1) The Incubator at Esplanade Park will feature LOOP, a pop-up lifestyle festival featuring a local craft bazaar selling products by local craft makers and wellness experiences that promote awareness about sustainability. A key highlight is the Void Deck Olympics on the ground level, where visitors can relive their childhood days by taking part in capteh, congkak and Five Stones challenges. The upper storey of LOOP will also feature a pop-up bar offering specially curated local craft beers and wine collection. Visitors can inscribe their wishes for the environment on local discarded wood pieces, which will be assembled to form a Community Tree to be displayed at Esplanade Park.

2) Also within Esplanade Park, families with young children can enjoy bouncy castles as part of
the Families for Life (FFL) celebrations. At Empress Lawn, friends and families will get to take
home their memories in the form of photo prints at an instant photo booth after posting it on
their social media accounts. Members of the public can also get free snacks and drinks from the FFL Mobile Café at Connaught Drive.

3) Connaught Drive will also play host to a bazaar boasting an eclectic mix of hand-made goods, ladies’ apparel, and innovative toys for children. Those who are in the mood for more mobile activities can hop onto the Popcycle for a spin around Connaught Drive and Fullerton Road after 8.30pm.

4) At Empress Lawn, there will be outdoor movie screenings by MovieMob and live band performances by local bands and singers such as Ryan with Joy Alexis on guitar, and local band 23 Skyline that will keep visitors entertained all evening long. Visitors can also catch The Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve Countdown Concert 2019, a ticketed performance at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall.

5) Dance aficionados can swish, sashay, and dance into 2019 at the New Year’s Eve Dance Party at the Asian Civilisations Museum, which will be turned into an open dance floor, with a free Salsa dancing workshop.

6) Along St Andrew’s Road and in Esplanade Park, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) will provide some healthy fun for visitors with various family-friendly sports and activities including golf, archery, and giant board games like Snakes and Ladders, Tic Tac Toe, and Bubble Soccer. Fitness enthusiasts can also participate in the HPB Fitness Countdown Dance Workout comprising Fight-Do, K Kardio Dance and Zumba, in front of the National Gallery Singapore.

7) Art lovers can visit Explore Minimalism: Space. Light. Object., the first exhibition on Minimalism in Southeast Asia. Admission fees applies, the exhibition at the National Gallery Singapore will give visitors a good insight into this influential art movement.

DELIGHTFUL FIREWORKS DISPLAY TO RING IN THE NEW YEAR



Come midnight, the public will be invited to count down to the New Year with a seven-minute long fireworks display. Those who are unable to be at Marina Bay can also join in the celebration through the live broadcast of the countdown fireworks on the URA Facebook page (www.facebook.com/urasingapore).

So, get ready to welcome in the new year with your loved ones right in the heart of the city with so much fun filled events and activities suitable for all ages and interests! Cheers!



A preview video of the light projection at The Fullerton Hotel Singapore.


XOXO

[Event] Friso Fire Station Party at The Fabulous Bakers Boy

I was overjoyed when I learnt that I was the winner of the Friso "Leave a review contest" during the Lazada 9.9 campaign. The prize was a free ticket for the family pass to the Friso Fire Station Party held at The Fabulous Bakers Boy.

It was not difficult to spot the venue as it was nicely decorated with lots of balloons with a huge FRISO letters displayed. A perfect spots for photo taking. We were among the first few families to arrive thus we were able to "chop" a good seat.

The internal of the cafe was decorated based on the Fire Engine theme and we took lots of photos while Rena was warming up to the new place. At the Friso Fire Station backdrop there were props and costume to transform the little ones into firefighters.

After Rena had warmed up to the venue, her playful instincts kicked in and she roamed into the little playroom that had some ongoing activities. There was the slime station, Colouring Station, badge making counter, and also Rena's favourite - the Ball Pit Station. Yes, the first thing Rena spotted was the Ball Pit and she headed right in. She was attempting to throw/drop the balls into the net. I am very grateful to the big sisters of Friso that were so friendly and played with Rena. With that, I could slack a bit and take photos there.

Throughout the event, we were served with food and the little ones got a box of food especially prepared for them. I loved the freshly made waffles the most and took another 2 more servings of it! Hehe.

While we were eating at the eating area, Rena spotted the Friso Ride On Fire Engine which she gladly sat on and moved around in. Coincidentally, this was also the big prize that we won and got to bring back home besides the bag of door gifts.

Friso is also currently running a campaign from 1st September 2018 to 31st October 2018 and they are giving away this FREE Ride-On Fire Engine with purchase of $400 worth of Friso participating products. For more details of this campaign do visit their website at https://www.friso.com.sg/en/friso-fire-engine-giveaway.

A nice group photo with the rest of the families before the event ends. The moment we reached home, Ryden turned into an engineer and started fixing up the Friso Ride-On Fire Engine so that Rena could play at home.

Thanks a lot to Lazada and Friso for selecting me as a winner and my family had half a day of fun, food and bonding. I was exceptionally happy to attend play dates like this as my girl could also have her own share of fun. 

XOXO

[Event] Big Mac 50th Party with Exclusive Merchandise to be WON

 Celebrating 50 Years of Big Mac

McDonald's Singapore celebrates 50 years of Big Mac and I'm glad to score a pair of the Big Mac 50th Party admission from @alvinology giveaway contest! Needless to say, my plus 1 is my hubby who is a big fan of the Big Mac since young! With the launch of so many new burgers, it's been a while since we last ate a Big Mac.

It was a casual and fun party held at McDonald's at Marine Cove. We had our share of food and games to go along during the party and most of us won some exclusive merchandise or food vouchers. 

Here's what in store for all in celebration of the World's iconic burger 50th years. 

 1. Enjoy a Big Mac Extra Value Meal at $5.50

Yes, the Big Mac Extra Value Meal is now selling at a special price of $5.50 instead of the usual price $7.55. That is a $2.05 savings which one can use it to buy 2 sweet corn ice-cream! 

  2. Join the Big Mac Karaoke Contest to win Exclusive Merchandise

From 7th to 9th September, simply head to McDonald's Singapore Instagram account (@McDSG) to take part in their Big Mac Karaoke Contest and stand to win exclusive Big Mac Merchandise including Big Mac Cap, Big Mac 50 T-shirt and a Big Mac Tote Bag!

This is the lyrics to the jingle for the contest. During the party, this is one of the games we played and the fastest rapper to this verse won. 

  3. The Spicy Chicken McNuggets is back

The Spicy Chicken McNuggets had returned as a six piece ala carte item in the menu at $4.85 and a nine piece ala carte at $6.40. In my opinion, the taste on its own is good without the need for any sauces. 

  4. Launch of the Limited Edition MacCoins

The Big Mac commemorative coins or MacCoins was especially designed for this Big Mac 50th Party!

 5. The Ingredients inside the Big Mac Special Sauce

Credit Image to McDonald's Singapore Facebook Page

Our takeaways from the party! Ryden won by answering a question correctly and they are also so kind to give us the MacCoin to bring back home in a glass vase. Thank you! 

Random photos taken at the party.

A group photo of the happy faces at the end of the party.

Once again, let us celebrate 50 yummy years of Big Mac and head down to any stores to enjoy your Big Mac Meals. Don't forget to share the photos with the official hashtag #BigMac50.

XOXO