Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Party 2013

Ushered in the Year of the Water Snake at Chinatown this Lunar New Year Eve. Celebrate the beginning of the Chinese New Year with Chinatown Chinese New Year’s Eve Party on Saturday, 9 February 2013 in Chinatown. Organized by Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens’ Consultative Committee (KA-KSCCC), the Chinatown Chinese New Year’s Eve Party  (2013年牛车水农历新年除夕夜派对) showcased an entertaining and vibrant programme centred on the theme, “Spring of Happiness” 「金蛇迎新春，花开幸福年].

This is the memorable moment the clock strikes 12:00 at midnight on 10 February, 2013 following the Chinese New Year 2013 Countdown and everyone welcome loudly at the count of 10 to 1 for the Chinese New Year of the Snake 2013  and bid farewell to the outgoing Year of the Dragon, accompanied by the firing of 288 strands of firecrackers and colourful fireworks. 

As I watched the loud explosion of the long strands of fire-crackers, the smoke, the sparkles, the smell reminds me my childhood memories and experiences of the Chinese New Year celebrations at Bukit Ho Swee kampong many decades ago.  The enjoyment of the Chinese New Year eve in bygone days for us to remember forever.  Photo Credit: National Archives of Singapore.

Children playing with fire crackers on Chinese New Year eve in the 1960s

The Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Countdown Party was graced by Dr Lily Neo (梁莉莉医生), Grassroots Adviser and Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC (基层组织顾问兼丹戎巴葛集选区国会议员).

Mr Chan Chun Sing, Acting Minister for Social and Family Development and Senior Minister of Ministry of Defence. He is the Member of Parliament representing Buona Vista division of the Tanjong Pagar GRC.

The "God of Wealth" showering good luck and prosperity to everyone

The Countdown Party 2013 and Last Minute Shoppers in Chinatown

Thanks to the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens Consultative Committee, the organizers of the Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Party 2013, to hold the countdown programmes later in the evening at 9.30pm after the family reunion dinner.

On Chinese New Year Eve, the Chinese Singaporeans as well as Chinese all over the world, it is the tradition and customs  to hold a 'reunion dinner' for every members of the family.  Regardless of the wealthy or the poor, the young or the old to celebrate the Chinese culture centuries ago.  This is a meaningful occasion for family bonding for three or more generations. 

Recently, the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Citizens Consultative Committee organized the Chinatown Mass Reunion Dinner held on 3 February, 2013 for the underprivileged residents and families for all ethnic groups as a community event.

Nowadays, Chinese Singaporeans prefer to hold their 'reunion dinners' at restaurants if affordable for convenience.

However, the special favorite dishes prepared by mother, grandmother, aunties or the 'secret recipes' cooked during Chinese New Year Reunion Dinner would be missed. 

Would any arrangement for the best cook of our family to cook the "secret recipes" once a year's reunion dinner at the restaurant?

For the convenience of Singaporeans and foreign visitors and tourists, public transport by MRT and buses specially arranged to run until 3.00am on 10 February, 2013.  As usual, the taxis in Singapore are operated all days and nights for 24 hours.

The Reception Counter for registration of the guests and visitors

A warm welcome by Mr Phil Loh to meet Thimbuktu

A Big Crowd of Spectators at the Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Countdown 2013

Thanks for the memory!

Friends who visit Singapore for their first time..great time!

Time for a Tiger...we left our hearts in Chinatown, Singapore!

Setting the seats and the stage ready

Show Time On the Stage is Ready

Lucky draw winners for the "live" interactive games segments.

MediaCorp TV, the Festival's Official Media Partner, telecast the countdown programme, "Lunar New Year's Eve Special 2013 ;灵蛇贺新春; "live" from MediaCorp TV Theatre and Chinatown on Channel 8:

Performances by various Singapore Mediacorp Artistes in the Studio and on location at Chinatown Point. Copyright goes to Mediacorp.

 

Arrival of Dr Lily Neo, Mr Chan Sing Chun and VVIPs

Korean Traditional Drum Dance

Highlights include a performance by popular Korean pop girl group, SKARF comprising 5 members, namely Felyn, Tasha, Jenny, JooA and Hana.  Among them, Ferlyn and Tasha are two very talented Singaporeans who are groomed to for this group.

 

Be enthralled by a lion dance segment by Zheng Geping and Chen Hanwei as well as a snake dance number featuring Rebecca Lim, Priscelia Chan and Joanne Peh.

 A host of popular MediaCorp celebrities like Zoe Tay (郑惠玉), Tay Ping Hui (郑斌辉), Pornsak, Ben Yeo (杨志龙), Adam Chen(詹金泉),Darryl Yong(杨子文), Shane Pow (包勋评), Yuan Shuai (袁帅), Xu Bin (徐彬), and more will entertain audience at Chinatown and home viewers with a medley of festive songs and dances as well as interactive games segments.

The Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Countdown Party was hosted by Kym Ng and Desmond Koh.

Chinese New Year Greetings from Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Countdown Party 2013 to homeviewers watching the "live" telecast on Channel 8 of MediaCorp.

The lucky audience wins cash prize from Kym Ng

After an unforgettable and exciting evening of  fun-filled entertainment followed by the countdown to start a Happy & Prosperous Chinese New Year of  the Snake 2013,  everybody wish everybody with cheers!

Gong Xi Fa Cai 恭喜发财, Wan Shi Ru Yi 万事如意, Xin Nian Kuai Le 新年快乐, Long Ma Jing Shen 龍馬精神, Xin Xiang Shi Cheng 心想事成 !

The guests thank Dr Lily Neo for her warm hospitality to enjoy a wonderful evening for the Chinatown Chinese New Year Eve Countdown Party 2013 at Chinatown, Singapore.

Goodbye and Good Morning, Dr Lily Neo!  Happy and Prosperous Chinese New Year 2013!