FOR Ms Lydia Chew, a romantic hotel stay, as well as a trip to Haji Lane last Saturday, made for the ideal Valentine's Day celebration.

The 26-year-old, a corporate bank executive, and her boyfriend of two years, Mr Chen Zhiwei, 28, an air-traffic controller, were spotted at my paper's The Love Parade event.

The two were visiting Haji Lane - which was closed to traffic for the my paper event - as part of a weekend staycation at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel. They were part of a crowd of 200 who turned up for the inaugural event.

There, couples visited the eclectic shopping hub to wine, dine and mingle in celebration of love.

They were entertained by a street performer dressed as Cupid, who handed out chalk to people and invited them to scribble love notes on the road. Attendees were also serenaded by singers who roamed the street, singing songs of love.

"It all just came together nicely.

Now, we're here enjoying the music and drinks," said Ms Chew on planning the weekend with Mr Chen.

The couple had won tickets to the event by entering my paper's Love Parade contest, which invited readers to submit short essays on love. The contest drew around 350 entries. Fifty winners were selected and given tickets to the event.

Ticket holders got free drinks from Carlsberg and Jolly Shandy, Yellowglen Pink sparkling wine, and sweet treats from Dove Chocolates.

The Love Parade drew mostly couples in their 20s to 40s, some who had simply chanced upon the event while walking along the streets.

Good friends Eleen Por, 36, and Francesca Ung, 31, decided to join in the fun on a whim, parting with $28 each for a ticket.

Ms Ung, an information-technology sales consultant, said: "It's really value for money, since we got free drinks upon entry. It's also a great place to hang out with my good friend."

Some couples made it a point to turn their evening into a party.

Japanese piano teacher Miki Igarashi, who is in her early 40s, and her Finnish husband, Mr Lasse Leppanen, a business-development manager, 55, had bought tickets to the event.

They also invited friends and their partners to join them.

Mr Leppanen said: "It's more fun to celebrate (the day) with friends. It's a people's party. We're here to bask in the atmosphere."

The crowd was good news for businesses in Haji Lane.

A long queue formed outside 39 East Photography, which offered complimentary portrait photos to the first 30 ticket holders after they opened their doors at 7pm.

Within half an hour, the photo studio had run out of free portraits.

Mr Aloysius Lim, co-owner and photographer, said that the event attracted people from all walks of life, bringing people outside of Haji Lane's usual demographic group to his studio.

He added: "It's a good way to let people know what Haji Lane has to offer. We even got inquiries from couples for our wedding-photography services."

Ms Chong Hsueh Shan, branding and promotions assistant manager in Singapore Press Holdings' marketing division, said: "The event was well received by the participants; many said it had a unique flavour and character."

The love fest attracted families, too.

For the von Stade family, Valentine's Day is extra special this year, as they had their first baby, six-month-old Kiro, in tow.

Mrs Prisna von Stade, a 36-year-old Singaporean based in the United States and who runs an online store with her husband, Sean, 32, said the event was special as it celebrated the spirit of love.

But, she added: "Every day is Valentine's Day for (my family), as long as we have each other."

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