Sight-and-sound galore at Singapore's biggest countdown even

Expect nothing less than a feast for the eyes and ears at this year's Marina Bay Singapore Countdown. 

This -- the eighth edition -- will feature more fringe activities around the waterfront to keep party-goers thoroughly entertained. 

A kaleidoscope of colours wowed the crowds at last year's countdown and organisers.

The countdown is jointly organised by Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay, and the Urban Redevelopment Authority promise an equally spectacular sight to ring in 2013. 

The eight-minute display this year will be accompanied by a musical score influenced by South-East Asian music.

The score, themed Dari Tanah ini, which means "From This Earth", is composed by Cultural Medallion winner and composer, Iskandar Ismail.

Jason Chen is Acting Deputy Director of Place Management at the Urban Redevelopment Authority. 

"It will feature Southeast-Asian music influence. We will have musical instruments such as the erhu, the Indian flute. The idea is to inspire the public when they view the fireworks display together with the pyrotechnics music to appreciate our humble beginnings and to look back at what we've achieved as a nation." 

With the opening of Gardens by the Bay, the organisers are expecting more visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the fireworks. Last year, there were about 300,000 visitors who came to the countdown.

Fringe events around the waterfront, which are mostly free-of-charge, will start from 5pm. 

Visitors will be treated to performances, film screenings, and even an LED kite display. 

The fringe events will be located at Marina Bay Waterfront Promenade, The Promontory, and Esplanade Outdoor Theatre.

The Countdown will also feature MediaCorp's Celebrate 2013 show at The Float@Marina Bay. Tickets are available at Sistic.

A mix of local, regional and international artists will take the stage, including Sheila Majid, the Jersey Boys, and M.I.B.

And to make sure the event run smoothly, some 1,700 security personnel will be deployed. These include police officers, auxillary police and security staff.

Mr Chen again. 

"In the last few years, we have noted the sheer popularity of this event, being Singapore's biggest countdown event, and the 300,000 people who gather at the bay, it is a challenge, especially when it comes to dispersal at the end of the event. But we have put in place a comprehensive set of measures together with the support and help from the Singapore Police Force, Traffic Police, and various public agencies to ensure the smooth dispersal of the crowd after the event. So their movement to the various MRT stations around Marina Bay, their movement to the bus stops and so on, will be organised in a manner that will allow everybody to get home quickly, smoothly and safely. But bearing in mind the large crowd, we hope the public can be more tolerant and patient from the security personnel, the police officers on-site."

Police have said that bags and other personal items may be subjected to checks. To prevent overcrowding, auxiliary police officers will regulate the number of people entering areas within the vicinity of Marina Bay. Should overcrowding occur, trains may bypass stations to alleviate congestion.

To make it easier to get around, visitors can download an app that details activities in the Marina Bay area. 

On New Year's Eve, information on where fringe activities are located, the best vantage points to catch the fireworks, and road closures will be made available.

-By Kimberly Spykerman