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NORAD begins tracking Santa starting Saturday

Posted at 7:49 AM, Nov 30, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-30 10:53:00-05
NORAD Santa tracker
FILE – In this Dec. 24, 2010 file photo, volunteers take phone calls and answer emails at the Santa Tracking Operations Center at Peterson Air Force Base near Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS – NORAD announced it will be tracking Santa for the 60th straight year on Christmas Eve in 2018, but its website will be up and running on Saturday.

NORAD has continued the holiday tradition since 1953, when a newspaper ad directed children to call Santa. However, when the number was misdialed, it reached the crew commander at the Continental Air Defense Command Operations Center, which monitored airspace before NORAD.

Since then, NORAD’s tracking technology has improved with a mobile-friendly website that features games and streaming video. However, like it was in 1953,  people can still call to get live updates on Mr. Kringle’s location. That hotline number is 1-877-HiNORAD.

This year, more than 1,400 volunteers will help NORAD track Santa Claus to make sure kids get to bed on time.

CLICK HERE to get the latest on Santa’s location. The site will be up and ready to go on Saturday.