The Geylang Serai Town Day 2010 sets itself apart from the usual carnival as it is held along the Pelton Canal, hosting an alfresco setting in the heartland of Merpati Road, MacPherson Lane & Balam Road. This is also a platform to showcase how the grassroots organization (GROs) of Geylang Serai achieve the five strategic thrust of the People’s Association (PA), (1) Community of Volunteers, (2) Community of Youths, (3) All Estates as One, (4) Virtual and Real World Integrated as One, (5) Partnership as Outreach Multipliers.
 
With the aim to promote harmony and community bonding among the residents of Geylang Serai Constituency, the Geylang Serai Citizens' Consultative Committee and the Marine Parade Town Council will be organising the Geylang Serai Town Day 2010 – “Community in Harmony – All Estates as ONE” carnival on 9 May 2010 from 8.30am to 12.30pm at the Multi-Purpose Hall at Block 27A Balam Road (Next to Block 31).

For the first time, this year’s carnival will set 2 records in the Singapore Book of Records. The first record setting feat will be the display of the largest number of paper crepe-flowers. This record will be set by participants from the Geylang Serai Family Life Centre (FLC) and Geylang Serai Women Executive Community (WEC) who will display a heart motif made out of the 2000 paper crepe-flowers. To commemorate Mother’s Day, the 2000 paper crepe-flowers will be distributed to the mothers attending the Town Day on 9 May. The second record setting feat will feature 350 students from the Geylang Serai PCF who will set record for the display of the largest number of flowers made using recycled materials. The 1,500 flowers will be used to form the words “PCF Geylang Serai”.

Guest-of-Honour Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, together with Hosting MP Dr Fatimah Lateef and other Members-of-Parliament of Marine Parade Town will grace the event and join in the activities brought together by the grassroots leaders, schools and various organisations.

Other highlights of the Carnival:

Completion of Rental Flat Upgrading Programme
Residents of Blocks 12, 13 & 14 Merpati Road will enjoy newer facilities under the
Rental Flat Upgrading Programme (RFUP) as it marks the RFUP completion on 9 May 2010. The upgraded flats have been fitted with improved features like the provision of ceramic floor tiles to the entire flat, stainless handbars in the toilet, new window grilles and metal gate.  Residents enjoy greater conveniences with lifts that provide direct access to their homes and an enhanced lifestyle.

Introducing the first Rain Garden in Singapore
A key highlight of the Geylang Serai Town Day is the tour of the Balam Estate rain garden. A focal point in the neighbourhood, the rain garden is integrated seamlessly
with the adjacent park connector, beautifying the environment. It also attracts butterflies, dragonflies and other wildlife, improving the biodiversity of the area while providing a new community space for residents in the area to enjoy.

Mr Tan Nguan Sen, PUB Director of Catchment and Waterways, said, "ABC Waters design features such as the Balam Estate rain garden can help to enhance our urban landscape, creating more unique spaces islandwide. More importantly, these features have cleansing properties or functions to treat the rainwater runoff from the car park and roads, so that the water which flows through these features into our drains and canals, and eventually the reservoirs, will be cleaner.

"This is especially important as two-thirds of Singapore will soon be water catchment, and we hope public and private developers will incorporate these ABC Waters design features in their developments. Besides helping to ensure that clean water flows into our reservoirs, the source of our water supply, they will be playing a part in our country's transformation into a City of Gardens and Water."

A Guide on Green Weddings and Green Living Specially Designed for Couples
In light of the climate change phenomenon, it has become increasingly important for every individual to tackle the environmental problem proactively by leading an environmentally friendly and energy efficient lifestyle.

Initiated by the National Environment Agency and supported by the Geylang Serai Constituency, South East Community Development Council and Marine Parade Town Council, the programme “My Green Wedding and My Green Home” will be launched by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong at the Geylang Serai Town Day.

Copies of the guide book would be distributed at selected Poh Heng Jewellery outlets, libraries, town councils etc. in the South East District.

The Geylang Serai Town Day is indeed a day where residents can look forward to an array of exciting and interesting activities to spend quality time with their family at the event. Be sure to catch all these happenings at the Carnival!