LIVE: Track Santa's Sleigh Ride as He Delivers Gifts

NORAD has some top secret information on Santa and is tracking his deliveries this Christmas.

Santa Claus is coming to Bradenton tonight and you can follow his every move. The North American Aerospace Defense Command has a website that tracks Santa for families all over the world. Last week your children got their phone calls from Santa; today, let them follow his progress around the world as he delivers gifts to boys and girls around the globe. In addition to tracking Santa's whereabouts, there is plenty to do at NORAD's Santa-tracking website. Check out the Kids' Countdown Village where there are  two dozen games to play.  Not near a computer today? NORAD's Santa Tracker is mobile, too. Download the Android or iPhone app and let your kids track Santa from your phone. Additional ways to track Santa? Follow NORAD on Facebook, …

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Share Your Winter Wonderland and Boat Parade Photos on Bradenton Patch

Upload your photos and share your holiday memories.

This weekend will be one of the biggest of the holiday season as snow, santa and a lighted boat parade through downtown to ring in the holidays. Patch would love to see your family enjoying the day's decorations and events. It's easy to upload your photos and show off your own little elfs. The 17th annual Winter Wonderland festival is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today with food, arts and crafts vendors, along with games for kids, hay rides and of course, Santa's workshop created by Westminster. The event’s signature attraction, the snow sledding mountains, will be in the parking lot north of Old Main Pub. There also will be a miniature mountain for toddlers who want to sled. The Bradenton Fire Department's antique fire truck departs …

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Weekly Tails From Southeastern Guide Dogs

Come To Our Holiday Open House

Kick off December by bringing the family to hang out with guide dogs this weekend!

Southeastern Guide Dogs opens its campus five days a week for puppy huggers and dog walkers, but Saturday is a great opportunity to learn all about Southeastern and our superb dogs because it is Open House! You may be asking how is Open House different from any other time you can come to the Palmetto campus. Well, there are a number of activities going on Dec. 8 that don’t normally occur.  Volunteers will be leading guided tours, filling guests in on the history and inner workings of Southeastern.  While readers of this column have gotten an inside look at what Southeastern does, the tour will give you a chance to put it all together and see the training grounds and kennels for yourself. You’ll also get the chance to interact with the …

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Winter Wonderland Highlights Weekend Activities

Share your photos from the annual winter festival on Bradenton Patch

This weekend will be one of the biggest of the holiday season as snow, santa, lighted boats and runners populate the downtown waterfront to celebrate the holiday. The weekend will kick off at 7 p.m. Friday with the 17th annual Jingle Bell run/walk to benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Registration starts at 5 p.m. for those who have not already registered for the run. The run is the warm up for the main event: Winter Wonderland, with its mountain of snow and sledding for the kids, along with a party so festive that the Jolly Old Elf from the North Pole makes a point to stop by every year. Marianne Barnebey, the councilwoman who started Winter Wonderland 17 years ago and has been organizing it ever since, said that Santa wouldn't miss this …

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Santa Drops In on Bradenton and Brings Some Snow

Manatee County Parks brought “A Night Before Christmas” celebration to G.T. Bray and transformed a part of the park into the North Pole.

Santa landed in Bradenton Saturday to finish making his Christmas list. G.T. Bray played host to Santa, Mrs. Claus and a few elfs. The county park boasted a field of man-made snow a rare treat in Florida. In addition, there were plenty of booths, and places for kids to play. But Santa was definitely the star of the show.

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Santa to Arrive in Bradenton Today By Helicopter

“A Night Before Christmas” celebration begins today at 4 p.m.

Santa Set to Bring the North Pole to Bradenton on Saturday

G.T. Bray will be transformed Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Manatee County Parks will host the popular “A Night Before Christmas” celebration on Saturday when Santa will bring 10 tons of snow to the park with him. Mr. Kringle will fly in by helicopted for the Dec. 1 event and will arrive promptly at 4 p.m. This is one of the county's favorite events as 10 tons of snow help turn G.T. Bray into the North Pole for an afternoon and evening. The event at the park, 5502 33rd Ave. Dr. W, will include a huge inflatable slide, bounce houses, a trampoline power jump, hayrides, cookie crafts and the 10 tons of snow, of course. The highlight of the day is a visit from the Jolly One himself. Concessions will be available for purchase. “It’s a fun, family event that’s free and open to ‘kids’ of all ages,” said …

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Santa is Going to the Dogs, Cats and Bunnies

Manatee Veterinary Clinic is hosting Santa for a pet portrait event to benefit Manatee County's No Kill efforts.

You know your pet will be getting a visit from Santa on Christmas eve so why not let your pet sit on Santa's lap and get to know the Jolly Old Elf. Manatee Veterinary Clinic, 3607 Manatee Ave. W., is hosting Santa Claus on Dec. 8 so that your pets can have their photos taken with Santa. Make your reservations now for the portrait sitting to benefit Manatee County's No Kill Efforts. The $25 sitting fee goes directly to Manatee County No Kill. Cruz Portrait Design will take your pet's photo with Santa. Appointments are limited. Manatee County is working to become a no kill community, meaning that 90 percent of the animals who come into the shelter are saved and adopted to families. The county has been able to maintain monthly rates above 70 …

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Track Santa On His Journey To Bradenton

NORAD is following Father Christmas' travels today online.

Santa Claus is coming to town, and NORAD can prove it. The North American Aerospace Defense Command is charged with keeping the United States and Canada safe from dangers originating from the sky or space. But tonight, the Colorado-based government agency is tracking The Big Man's progress as he makes his way to Bradenton and beyond. You can follow along on the Official Santa Tracker that marks his every move today as he travels across both hemispheres. He was already hitting up Australia at about 10:30am EST and should be making his way to the Friendly City later this evening -- at least for those who've been nice this year. Included on the site is a countdown and activity page and a flight tracking system for those who just can't wait to…

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