Chingay Parade Singapore 2009

The Chingay Parade is a street parade, which is observed annually in Singapore. The Chingay Parade in Singapore is a part of the Chinese New Year Festivities. The term Chingay itself originated in South East Asia, particularly in places like Penang, Malaysia. The term Chingay is a phonetic counterpart of a Chinese word which means ‘a decorated miniature stage’, or ‘float’
In 1972, the government banned firecrackers after a fatal explosion in the Lunar New Year period killed two people. But in this parade it sort of marks the start of it

One of the big "floats" in the parade.

Camera problems.... But there was a group of men carrying big flags on their shoulder, inside one hand, on their forehead etc. Very impressing!

This was a big dragon which were held up by people running without any shoes on the bits of burning coal (?) that was through out!

A lot of the communities participated also. I think this was the Malay on.

A lot of trouble with the camera, so not many good pictures from the parade. But the kids really enjoyed it! They had a snooze during the day, so they would be awake.

If you want to read more about the parade - http://www.chingay.org.sg/