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Celebrating National Day in a different way this Aug 9

Thinking of another way to spend your Aug 9 national holiday?

Singaporeans looking to do something different this National Day might want to check out a celebration happening at Hong Lim Park.

The three-hour long event, organised by Transitioning.org, will be held from 4-7 pm.

It will feature bloggers and speakers like Tan Jee Say, Dr Ang Yong Guan, Ravi Philemon,and Leong Sze Hian. They will discuss topics like the Singaporean identity, National Service, migration and other current issues.

Homage will be paid to the late President Ong Teng Cheong.

Side activities like balloon-making and face painting, as well as snacks like curry puffs and cookies, will be provided at the free event.

At a press conference held on Wednesday afternoon, organiser Gilbert Goh emphasised that unlike previous rallies held by the same group of activists, the National Day event will be a "celebration not a protest" that aims to "recapture the kampung spirit".

So far, 400 people have RSVP-ed for the celebration and Goh expects the eventual turnout to be at least 700-strong.

Big eat

Meanwhile, if chowing down local food is your priority on Friday, The Big Makan, organised by the Singapore Kindness Movement, promises to bond Singaporeans and foster a community spirit over pots of curry.

The gathering for foodies will feature three different local curries -- Chinese, Indian and Malay — for participants to feast on while catching a live screening of the National Day Parade.

Curry was chosen to represent Singapore's diversity, inclusiveness and unity as it is universally cooked in homes across the sunny island.

Residents living in the area who sign up can bring extra home-cooked food to share with other partygoers. There will also be interactive games.

The Big Makan will be held from 6pm to 9 pm at Blk 10, Tanjong Rhu Civic Plaza and No. 7 Jalan Bintang Tiga.