Record-breaking LED dragon make its debut at Chingay 2018

RECORD BREAKING: Dr Fatimah Lateef, MP for Marine Parade GRC (on the left holding the certificate) and Mr James Koh (right) were there on the 10th February to receive the record for SIngapore's longest LED dragon. PHOTO: Edward Siew

SINGAPORE - This year’s parade themed “Cultural Funtasy” will feature its longest LED dragon dance with a length of 138 metres – breaking the record for the longest dragon dance in Singapore.

Up to 300 dragon dance troupe members from various community centres (CC) such as Geylang Serai CC and others will be dancing with the dragon figure down the 1.5 kilometres Chingay Parade on the 23rd & 24th February.

Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, Dr Fatimah Lateef was at the National Education (NE) show.  She received the certificate of accomplishment from the Singapore Book of Records, later on leading the troupe.  

Earning a spot in the Singapore Book Of Records is no easy feat. “I am very happy to be able to break the record with a 138-meter dragon. We used the shortest time – about less than a month to create this dragon. Because of this, I have a sense of fulfilment. “ said the proud Daniel Lim, 55, head coach of the dragon dance troupe and founder of Singapore’s Tian Eng Dragon and Lion Dance Centre.  

Ages of dragon troupe members range from as young as 6 years old to a ripe 78 years old. Training sessions for the annual Chingay parade started in early January where trainees had to attend weekly 3-hour training sessions.

Trainers in charge of the training said that they would like to build stamina for every individual since performers are from different age groups. Special arrangements were made for the older participants. They were paired with younger participants to better withstand the weight of the dragon during the line-up of the dragon dance.

“I would like people to understand that it takes a village to come and try to break a record,” said Mr Koh, 42, Chairman of Geylang Serai CC when asked about the inspiration behind the record-breaking dragon.

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Mr Koh also hopes that the audience takes away the importance of joy, friendship and memories through the performance. He added that there would be plans to form a dragon dance interest group to continue the friendships that had been forged.

To catch the record-breaking dragon dance, tickets for this year’s parade starts at $28.50.  

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