Community Corner

Follow Santa on Christmas Eve with NORAD

Website offers fun activities for kids of all ages who are eager for St. Nick to arrive.

Some people simply can't wait 'til Christmas morning to find out if Santa Claus has paid them, or their neighborhood, a visit.

For those who are impatient, don't worry. You can keep tabs on the big guy by following the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) website, which for one night is dedicated to tracking Mr. Claus' coordinates.

The site is more than an enhanced GPS; it also contains a "Countdown Village," which offers games, activities and other features for young ones who are eager for Santa to arrive.

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According to its website, NORAD has been tracking Santa for more than 50 years, following in the footsteps of its predecessor, the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD).

The tradition began in 1955, the website says, after a Colorado Springs-based Sears Roebuck & Co advertisement to call Santa misprinted the telephone number. Instead of reaching Santa, the phone number put kids through to the CONAD Commander-in-Chief's operations "hot line."

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Col. Harry Shoup, director of operations at CONAD, had his staff check the radar for Santa all night while he updated the kids who called in.

"Since that time, NORAD men, women, family and friends have selflessly volunteered their time to personally respond to phone calls and emails from children all around the world," the website says.

And of course: "Media from all over the world rely on NORAD as a trusted source to provide updates on Santa's journey," the website says.

For more: To track Santa, visit NORADSanta.org all day.


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