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America Inspired

The Pink Pig is a favorite Atlanta holiday tradition

The original Pink Pig, a holiday tradition in Atlanta
The original Pink Pig, a holiday tradition in Atlanta
Credits: 
Georgiaencyclopedia.org

She’s pink. She oinks and she’s back to entertain kids in Atlanta during the holiday season. For fifty-five years, Priscilla the Pink Pig has been a holiday tradition for generations of families in Atlanta.

Priscilla the Pink Pig made her debut as a children’s ride at the downtown Rich’s. The pint-sized monorail circled the toy department, and kids received an “I rode the pink pig” sticker after the ride. Those stickers eventually became a badge of pride and a highly recognizable symbol of Atlanta history.

After the downtown store closed, Priscilla the Pink Pig was moved to the Festival of Trees at the World Congress Center. However, when Macy’s and Rich’s merged, the original monorail train was retired and replaced with a shiny new train. It was set-up under a giant pink tent on the upper level of the parking deck at Lenox Square Mall. The original monorail was eventually restored, and is now on display at the Atlanta History Center.

Kids who once rode the Pink Pig are now parents themselves, and sharing the time-honored tradition with their own children. Opening Day for Priscilla’s 2009 season was Saturday, November 7th. Macy’s and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta provided opening day festivities that included free rides in exchange for a letter to Santa, a DJ, face painting, free pink pig mugs and more.

Priscilla The Pink Pig is now open at Lenox Square Mall. It costs $3 to ride the infamous pig, and a portion of all proceeds will be donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Priscilla The Pink Pig will be open through January 3rd.

November hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Sunday: noon-6:00 p.m. Friday, November 27: 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving.

December hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; Saturday: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Sunday: 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. December 24: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Closed on Christmas. December 31: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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Atlanta Northside Family & Parenting Examiner

Jackie Kass is the busy mother of a teen and a 'tween with a passion for words, both writing and reading them. In between endless carpools, she is...

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