Chingay 2007
The term Chingay itself originated in Southeast Asia, particularly in Penang, Malaysia, which is a phonetic equivalent of the Chinese words  (ZhuangYi), which means "a decorated miniature stage" or float.
Chingay 2008
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Chingay Parade
Singapore street and floats parade held every year to add to the gaiety and excitement of the Lunar New Year season.
In 2008, Chingay is into its 36th year and this is the fifth time, Chingay was held at the City Hall, with the parade stretching all the way to Raffles Avenue and boasting of performances by over 3,800 participants. Performances were by local and international groups.
Chingay began in Singapore on 4 February 1973. Many did not remember that Chingay was introduced as a substitute for a different kind of noise: firecrackers. In 1972, the government banned firecrackers after a fatal explosion in the Lunar New Year period killed two people. The ban, although necessary, disappointed many who felt that it dampened the festive spirit. So in June 1972, the former Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, wrote to the former Deputy Chairman of the People's Association Mr Jek Yuen Thong. He felt that some other activities should make up for the absence of the traditional sound. He said there was a Chingay Procession in Penang organised by the Chinese Pugilistic Associations there. The former Prime Minister then proposed to get the pugilistic associations in Singapore to mount a really massive procession and display for Chinese New Year.
Chingay 2008
The People's Association and the Singapore National Pugilistic Federation came together to stage a grand street show to add to the gaiety and excitement of the Lunar season in 1973. This street parade was from Jalan Besar to Outram Park featuring the signature floats, acrobatic acts, lion and dragon dances, stilt walkers, and the like, to bring back some cheer to the general public. Although not religious in nature, the first procession, consisting about 2,000 participants, was totally Chinese.
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Chingay 2008
So well received was the first parade in 1973 that it became an annual event. For over a decade, the procession toured different housing estate from 1974 to 1984. Since 1985, Orchard Road became a permanent venue, which garnered a wide following among tourists and Singaporeans. The Chingay Parade became an evening-to-night parade in 1990, changing the overall feel of the parade towards one in which lights and pyrotechnics dominate.
Chingay 2007
In 2000, the parade was shifted out of Orchard Road to City Hall for the first time. It moved back to Orchard Road in 2004. In 2004, firecrackers were let off for the first time in the parade. Today, the parade has evolved into a massive multi-cultural and international event telecast live on television every year.
Chingay 2008
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