Community Corner

NORAD Tracks Santa's Test Flight Ahead of the Big Night

Follow NORAD as they track Santa during his test flight and on Christmas Eve!

By Mary Ann Barton

Kids all over are sending Santa their wish lists and planning to leave cookies and milk for his arrival next week. 

Thanks to the folks behind the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), families can follow Santa's Christmas journey in real time -- as well as 'Big Red One's' pre-Christmas test flight.

The tradition began in 1955 after an advertisement for Sears Roebuck & Co. misprinted a telephone number for a special "Santa hotline." Instead of reaching Kris Kringle, the number put kids through to the Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) Commander-in-Chief’s operations, according to a description on the NORAD Tracks Santa Facebook page.

In addition to keeping tabs on Santa's whereabouts, there is plenty to do on NORAD's Santa-tracking site. Check out Kids' Countdown Village, which has more than two dozen games.

Find out what's happening in Douglasvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Not near a computer? NORAD's Santa Tracker is mobile, too. Download the Android or iPhone app and let your kids track Santa from your phone.

Looking for additional ways to track Santa? Follow NORAD on Facebook and Twitter.

Find out what's happening in Douglasvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Merry Christmas and have fun!


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