Huge Turnout at Biggest Street Party in Singapore

By Clara Huang

The overwhelming 8,000 strong turnout at City Alive! 2010 turned Singapore’s largest street party into a dance and music extravaganza.

During the event, the 360-metre long F1 race track was used as a dance floor. This move drew more young street revelers to party their night away in front of the F1 Pit Building on Saturday, Feb. 20.

“It’s much more enjoyable this year as we have more standing room to dance our hearts out. I am already looking forward to the next year’s party,” said Calvin Liu, 23, a national serviceman, who always keeps a lookout for nightlife events in Singapore.

28-year-old Leong Jing Yun, one of the organisers of City Alive!, said, “The Hippo Open-Deck Bus is definitely the winning formula to draw people to come back again. In fact, DJs hyped up the crowd by spinning rapturous music on the Hippo Bus is unusual in Singapore street-part.”

Organised by the People’s Association and People’s Association Youth Movement, City Alive! was held at City Hall area for the last two years, in conjunction with the annual Chingay Parade.

“City Alive! took place for the third time in three consecutive years as it is certainly the ideal platform to engage more youths from diverse backgrounds to come together to enjoy themselves,” Leong added.

As the party lasts from dusk to dawn, access to the new party location was one of the concerns expressed by this year’s event organisers.

According to Leong, complimentary shuttle-bus services were catered for the public as the F1 pit building is not as accessible as City Hall.

Jacqueline Cheok, a fourth-year undergraduate at the National University of Singapore’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, participated in City Alive! for the first time.

“I think the location is slightly out-of-the-way. But this shouldn’t be a problem for most people, with a bus-stop at Singapore Flyer and a car park nearby,” Cheok said.

Come next year, City Alive! will return with more exciting concepts and performances for the young energetic partygoers.

“We always believe there is a huge demand for outdoor party among the young,” Leong said.